Announcing the decision at a news conference in Yangon on September 7, the UEC gave a number of reasons, including that the by-elections in 35 constituencies would not make a "big difference" to voting in parliament.

It also cited the preparations needed for the regional summit in November being hosted by Myanmar in its capacity as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the cost of holding the by-elections with a general election due late next year.

Union Solidarity and Development Party executive committee member U Hla Swe said UEC chairman U Tin Aye had overstepped his authority when he cited cost as a reason for cancelling the by-elections.

"Saving money is not his business," U Hla Swe told Mizzima on September 7.

"There should be a law requiring by-elections to be held as soon as a certain number of seats become vacant," he said.

"With no such obligation to call a by-election, it seems that he can do what he likes."
 
Shan National League for Democracy secretary U Saing Nyunt Lwin said the cancellation was proof that the UEC could not make decisions independently and suggested that the reason was to protect the sizeable parliamentary majority of the USDP.

National League for Democracy central executive committee member Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint expressed disappointment at the decision.

"The by-elections could have given us an indication whether the [general] election would be free or fair or not," she said.

National Democratic Force chairman U Khin Maung Swe said he wanted to know if the decision would be reviewed by the parliamentary Government Guarantees, Pledges and Undertakings Vetting Committee.

U Khin Maung Swe said he was raising the question because U Tin Aye had told parliament on March 20 that he planned to hold elections in the cool season before later clarifying to the media that he wanted the by-elections held by the end of 2014.

“It seems as if he [U Tin Aye] can do what he likes,” said U Khin Maung Swe.