PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia—UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he hopes reforms in military-ruled Burma, or Myanmar, will help ensure transparent polls next month.

Ban says he is considering a visit to Burma after the polls.

The April 1 by-election is being held to fill 48 parliamentary seats vacated over the past year.

Ban told reporters on Thursday in Malaysia that the U.N. is in discussions with stakeholders to "ensure that elections will be held in a credible, democratic, open and transparent manner."

He said he has been encouraged by Burma's reforms and added that the military's recently announced plan to allow some foreign election observers is welcome news.

Ban said the reforms have "given a greater sense of hope and expectations" to the international community.