Myanmar has began releasing the first of about 100 prisoners on Friday, many of them political detainees, days before a parliament dominated by democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi's party sits for the first time after an election win in November.

Sadly neither the USDP nor NLD has chosen Muslim candidates to contest, though Myanmar has over five million Muslims. Rohingyas are automatically disenfranchised as they are not considered citizens of the country. It will be a Muslim-free election.

Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi registers to run for a general election which her party is expected to sweep, as the ruling bloc admitted it was bracing for big losses.