A new election law enacted by Myanmar's junta bars detained pro- democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming a member of a political party ahead of long-awaited polls, state-run newspapers reported Wednesday.

According to the details of the Political Parties Registration Law appearing in the newspapers, political parties are not allowed to have people with criminal convictions as members.

Suu Kyi was convicted last year for violating the terms of her house arrest.

Political parties that do not abide by such requirements will be abolished by a yet-to-be-formed election commission, the new law says.

The law also requires existing political parties to re-register with the election commission within 60 days from Monday, when the law was enacted.

In all, five election-related laws were enacted Monday.

There has still been no announcement of the date for holding the country's first elections in two decades, which the junta had pledged to implement within this year.

The country's main opposition National League for Democracy, led by Suu Kyi, has yet to decide whether to take part in the elections.

Tin Oo, vice chairman of the NLD, called the new law "unfair" and "politically motivated."

"They are trying everything to restrict and create a difficult situation for the NLD," he said. "We will find our own way out for our legal survival."

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, said the United States wants Suu Kyi "to play an active role in the political life of the country going forward."

Commenting on the new election-related laws, he said, "What we have seen so far is disappointing and regrettable," he said, and urged the junta to take steps to "encourage domestic dialogue."

The NLD won a sweeping victory in the 1990 general election, but the junta never honored the result.

Myanmar has been ruled by the military in various forms since 1962.