国际英语新闻：Multi-party general election begins in Myanmar

The house of representatives and the house of nationalities make up the Union Parliament.

Representing the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) as a candidate , Prime Minister U Thein Sein contests against U Kyaw Aye, candidate of the National Unity Party (NUP), for the seat of house of representatives.

USDP's U Khin Maung Htay contest against U Myint Oo of NUP and U Aung Zaw Oo of Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics for the seat of house of nationalities.

In Nay Pyi Taw's eight townships, four parties and two independents with a total of 25 candidates contest. The USDA candidates to compete for the parliamentary house of representatives include four state leaders -- SPDC member Thura U Shwe Mann, Prime Minister U Thein Sein and SPDC First Secretary Thiha Thura U Tin Aung Myint Oo.

The other three parties are National Unity Party (NUP), National Political Alliance League (NPAL) and Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics.

There are 1,159 constituencies established townshipwise for the parliamentary election, of which 54 require no polling as these townships each register only one candidate with no opponent in contest. Of the 54 candidates, the Union Solidarity and Development Party shares 52.

With 29 million qualified voters out of nearly 60 million's population in the whole country, Yangon region accounts for 4.4 million, while Mandalay 4.399 million.

The country has a total of 40,000 polling booths, of which 6, 000 are in Yangon region, while 5,800 in Mandalay.