Unfortunately it has nothing to preparing for democracy. Instead, it appears as though they are stepping down so they can run for top office in the upcoming sham elections. BBC:
Leaders of Burma's junta are reported to have resigned from their military posts, days before the deadline to register candidates in the country's first general election in two decades.
Some reports said junta leader Gen Than Shwe was among those to have stepped down, but other reports denied this.
Observers believe he may want to become civilian president after the election on 7 November.