Burma will allow Asian observers at April vote | Asian Correspondent

Burma will allow Asian observers at April vote | Asian Correspondent
AP News Mar 20, 2012 

YANGON, Burma (AP) — Burma says it will allow observers from Southeast Asian countries to monitor April elections that are viewed as crucial for gauging the nation’s much-heralded reforms.

Burma invited the countries that form the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations to send five observers and 18 parliamentarians to witness the vote.

ASEAN announced Burma’s decision in a statement Tuesday.

After half a century of military rule, Burma’s army ceded power last year to a nominally civilian government that has embarked on rapid reforms.

Allowing outside monitors marks a major step for the long-isolated country. International bids to send observers were rejected in 2010 and 1990, the last two elections.