Myanmar opposition party denies proportional representation, says Win Tin
Published on Thursday, 18 April 2013 22:32
Proportional representation system (PR) should not be practiced in Myanmar yet as it is now stepping up the reform process, democracy patron Win Tin of the National League for Democracy Party said.
The people don't understand voting system very well. The politicians cannot canvass for votes in a systematic way. The PR system may be confused among the people. It may also cause misunderstanding in political opinions, Win Tin said.
"If [changes to the electoral system] cannot be approved during 2013, the electoral system will remain unchanged. This is because [change] takes time. It cannot be reformed of my own volition. Free and fair elections will have to be held on the basis of an approved system," chairman Tin Aye of the Union Election Commission said following a meeting with political party representatives on April 8.
"The people's desire plays a leading role in practicing a political system whether the parliamentary system or the presidential system. I suppose majority of votes have the right to make decision more than the minority. We accept the person who gets the most votes is elected according the current electoral system. I don't think the upcoming parliament will approve the changes to the electoral system if submitted, " Win Tin said.
Political parties wanting to employ the PR system include National Unity Party, Democratic Party (Myanmar), Kayin People's Party, Union of Myanmar National Politic Party Federation, Wunthanu Democratic Party, and Democracy and Peace Party.
Most of ethnic parties including the NLD fear that some parties capable of spending money will go into the election if the PR system is accepted, sources said.
The current electoral system means that the person who gets the most votes is elected and the other candidates lose in a constituency.
In the PR system, a candidate representing a party cannot win a seat in a constituency but win most of the votes from other constituencies.
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