Burma’s ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), is aiming to field candidates in all vacant constituencies at next year’s by-elections, according to party spokesperson Nyan Win.

“We will be running in all vacant constituencies in the by-election,” he said. “We are yet to adopt a campaign strategy or appoint candidates, but we soon will.”

Among the seats up for grabs in April’s polls is that formerly occupied by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi – the lower house seat representing Rangoon’s Kawhmu Township.

Burma’s Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that the by-election will be held on 1 April 2017. To date, 19 seats across the country are listed for polling: nine lower house seats; three in the upper house; and six in the regional assemblies.

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The 2015 elections were not held in seven townships due to security reasons. Five of those townships – Pangshang, Pangwa, Naphan, Mongmaw and Mongla (all in northern Shan State) – are still considered too unstable for polls.

The UEC announced a period for candidate applications: between 28 November and 18 December. Those approved will be announced on 2 January next year.