Naypyitaw, Myanmar  - Myanmar's military supremo on Friday urged political parties to abide by the constitution pushed through last year and to avoid "inciting unrest" in the period prior to a general election planned in 2010.

Senior General Than Shwe, who head the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), as the ruling junta styles itself, vowed to hold next year's general election "systematically."

"I would like to request those who will be involved in organizing work for parties to refrain from inciting unrest, to avoid personal attacks and smear campaigns against other parties and to find unity in diversity by practicing tolerances, forgiveness and understanding toward one another," Than Shwe said in a speech marking the 64th anniversary of Armed Forces Day.

In a 10-minute speech to 13,000 troops at the parade grounds in Naypyitaw, the military's new capital, the junta chief focused on the need for political parties to abide by the pro-military constitution and preserve the unity of the nation, at a time then the country is gearing up for a general election next year.

"Political parties should do their organizing works based on the conviction of non-disintegration of the Union and National Solidarity and also Union Spirit," Than Shwe said.

He warned that democracy in Myanmar is not yet "mature," and the military "have to safeguard the constitution and assure whoever is doing organizing works for political parties does it maturely."

In May 2008, the junta pushed through a nationwide referendum on a new constitution that will essentially cement military control over any elected government in the future.

The constitution, which took 14 years to draft, was a crucial part of Myanmar's seven-step roadmap to democracy that will end with a general election some time next year.

Myanmar's military hierarchy, that has ruled the country since 1962, is seeking to establish a "discipline-flourishing democracy" in which the armed forces play a guiding and disciplining role.

Meanwhile, in Yangon, authorities acknowledged that one man died and two other people were injured when a bomb exploded Thursday night in North Okalapa district.

It was believed that the man who died had planted the bomb, allegedly as a sign of protest before Armed Forces Day. (dpa)