NLD formally rejects election commission accusations
By Ei Ei Toe Lwin | Tuesday, 03 June 2014The National League for Democracy has formally responded to a warning letter from the Union Election Commission to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, insisting that its constitutional amendment campaign activities are lawful.
The commission wrote to Aung San Suu Kyi on May 22 and warned that comments she made about the military at a recent rally, held jointly with the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society, had potentially violated the constitution, leaving the party at risk of deregistration.
It specifically cited comments she made at a rally in Mandalay on May 18 in which she challenged the Tatmadaw "to prove that they don't like power".
The rally was held a day after the campaign for constitutional change was launched in Yangon at Bo Sein Hman Stadium.
The letter said the NLD had sworn to maintain the 2008 constitution and obey existing laws when it had applied to register, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had made a similar oath when she entered parliament. The commission warned that under section 24 (a) of Political Party Registration Law it could ban parties for up to three years if they violate existing laws and by-laws , or orders and directives issued by the UEC.
On June 2 the NLD responded by insisting that all its activities are legal and peaceful. It cited section 354(a) of the constitution, which states that "every citizen has the right to express and publish freely their convictions and opinions", and section 406, which says every political party has the right to organise political campaigns freely.
The statement said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's comments about the military during the campaign were made with a "positive attitude" and "within the framework of the 2008 constitution and Political Party Registration Law".
The NLD and 88 Generation formed an 11-member joint committee to organise public rallies across the nation to build support for changes to the controversial constitution, particularly the removal of a military veto. On May 27 a petition campaign was launched.
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/06/04/nld-formally-rejects-election-commission-accusations/
No comments:
Post a Comment