President reaffirms vow on holding 'free and fair' election

Myanmar's president reaffirmed his vow on Thursday to hold a "free and fair" election after the country set the date for what many hope will be the most democratic vote in a generation.

Millions will cast their votes in a historic general election on Nov 8, which is likely to be the first time in 25 years that Aung San Suu Kyi and her opposition party have taken part in a nationwide poll.

"As the first civilian government in many years, we have a responsibility and we promise to try our best to ensure that the upcoming general election is clean, free and fair," said President U Thein Sein, in a national radio address a day after the poll date was confirmed.