"Burma?s controversial election, its first in 20 years, is only days away. Most of the country?s pro-democracy groups say the election is ?undemocratic and unnecessary.? The 37 political parties that have chosen to contest the polls say the election is ?the only political alternative.? And many Burmese people say they are ?not interested because it won?t bring about any real change.? As for The Irrawaddy, we see that the election will be held while pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest, more than 2,100 political prisoners remain in prison and some ethnic parties have been excluded from competing in the polls..."