The daughters of two former prime ministers of Burma, also known as Myanmar, have announced plans to join a new political party that is being set up to contest next year's elections. The country's military dictatorship has announced plans for elections but a definite timetable and date has not yet been given.

The Democratic Party is being set up by veteran politician Thu Wai, who said he will serve as a party chair. The party is expected to have the support of some leading business people as well as student activists.
 

Than Than Nu, a daughter of the country's first prime minister U Nu, said she will serve as general secretary of the new. U Nu became Burma's first prime minister after the country won independence in 1948 and served three terms in office. During his last term in office, in 1962, the army seized power and inaugurated a period of military rule, which continues to this day.

The organisers of the new party say Nay Yee Ba Swe, the daughter of the country's second prime minister Ba Swe, will join as will Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein, daughter of a former deputy prime minister.

It is not yet clear if the National League for Democracy, led by veteran opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, will take part in the elections. The party won a landslide victory in the 1990 elections and Ms Suu Kyi was elected prime minister. However, the military rulers refused to relinquish power and she has spent most of the last 20 years either in prison or under house arrest. The military junta recently extended her house arrest until after the end of 2010, which will prevent her from contesting the elections.