The EU and US have set free and fair by-elections as a key condition for sanctions to be eased. Aung San Suu Kyi has said government officials had denied her party a free and fair election Burma’s democracy movement icon Aung San Suu Kyi said government officials had denied her party a free and fair election campaign in a speech before European Union poll observers. Candidates from her National League for Democracy standing in 44 by-election contests this Sunday had faced intimidation, attempts to disrupt their campaign and false allegations from the pro-government Union solidarity and Development Party and government officials. Her comments could jeopardise efforts by President Thein Sein, who has revealed a series of unexpected and rapid democratic reforms since he met Aung San Suu Kyi, to persuade the United States and European Union to lift sanctions against Burma. Both the EU and US have set free and fair by-elections as a key condition for sanctions to be eased. Her speech marked her first appearance since she was taken ill with exhaustion and sickness while campaigning in the south of the country. Her illness was blamed on government obstruction after officials refused her permission to travel on a larger boat to avoid sickness and corralled her into open unshaded fields for campaign speeches. The Nobel laureate said she now felt delicate but strong enough to continue her campaign and called on election observer groups, including a five-strong delegation from the European Union to investigate abuses throughout the contest.
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