Myanmar prepares for polls

Workers put the finishing touches to polling stations ahead of Myanmar's historic by-elections on April 1st.

The ballot is only the third the country has held in half a century.

Residents in this Yangon township have high hopes the vote will mark a turning point for the long-isolated nation.

SOUNDBITE: AUNG KO SEIN, VOTER, SAYING (Burmese):

"The economy will develop and there will be advantages for the people."

SOUNDBITE: KHIN AYE SHEIN, VOTER, SAYING (Burmese):

"There will be a lot of changes and the international community will open up Myanmar's economy."

There are 45 seats up for grabs in the Sunday's by-election.

The conduct of the ballot is crucial to the lifting of some international sanctions on Myanmar.

Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party has already alleged irregularities.

It's also accused the president of breaching his duty of impartiality by trying to influence the outcome.

Paul Chapman, Reuters