Political parties contesting in the coming by-elections in Myanmar have been allowed to campaign through state radio and television, according to an announcement of the Union Election Commission published on Friday.

Altogether 17 political parties will stand for the by-elections set for April 1 for 48 vacant seats of parliamentary representatives.

Presentation of policies and work programs will be allowed through the state media in turn for 15 minutes for each contesting party, the announcement said without setting the date for starting the campaign.

The commission urged the political parties to canvass for votes in accordance with the announcement's prescriptions to ensure that the by-elections are free and fair.

The 48 vacant seats of parliament representatives are scattered in constituencies in 10 regions or states. Of the 48 seats, 40 are for the House of Representatives, six for House of Nationalities and two for region or state parliament.

Of the 48 constituencies, Yangon region shares six for the vacant seats of House of Representatives.

Both the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) will contest in all 48 vacant constituencies, constituting the main contestants.

NLD candidate chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi is to contest in Yangon region's Kawmu township constituency against USDP candidate Dr. U Soe Min in the same constituency for the seat of House of Representatives.