Opposition MP's rebut criticism over voting rights
Published on Tuesday, 09 July 2013 18:14
Some NLD MPs are seen inside the parliament building before Lower House session. (Photo-EMG)
Parliamentarians from the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) answered to criticism that they were not using their vote to oppose controversial bills.
MP's from the NLD responded to accusations for not voting against the controversial Printing and Publishing Bill on July 4 saying that they only voted according to their wishes and are not under the party's central control.
"We approve the proposals and bills if we think they would benefit the country and the public. We can vote as we want as long as we don't harm the national unity and national reconciliation, which are the main policy of our party. We have been given democratic rights," said Win Myint, a Lower House MP.
NLD MPs say they can only cast their votes based on the explanations provided by Ministers, the Attorney General's Office or the High Court so they have no time study the proposed laws in advance.
"Most of the MPs are not law experts so they don't know the laws in details. They only know about the bills after they have been submitted [to the Parliament]. As they didn't know in advance, they don't have time to study them," said Phyu Phyu Thin, a Lower House MP from Mingalartaungnyunt constituency.
NLD MP's countered that the use of sitting or standing voting procedures causes difficulties in counting and cannot determine their real desires. They said that they decide on whether to approve or oppose bills in accord with the law so it is a misunderstanding that they are not opposing to them in the parliament.
Other opposition parties and the public have criticised the NLD saying that aside from the party's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, other MPs are not active in parliament.
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