Commission to be formed to amend 2008 Constitution

Commission to be formed to amend 2008 Constitution

Published on Thursday, 18 July 2013 18:50

Lower House Speaker Thura Shwe Mann says parliament will form a commission which will look into amending the Myanmar's 2008 Constitution, he announced to the media on July 17.

"The commission will be inclusive of representatives from various political parties. The commission will have to make decisions on which clauses prescribed in the Constitution to be amended or cancelled or replaced following the formation of the commission," said the Lower House Speaker.

Lower House MP Thura Aye Myint of Wetlatt Constituency had submitted a proposal to form a commission to review the constitution when it was approved after being put forward to the Union Assembly.

In response to the questions of the reporters, Thura Shwe Mann replied that the commission would represent different political parties in a proportional way. The commission would have to make decisions on which clauses prescribed in the constitution to be amended or cancelled or replaced.

Lower House MP Aung San Suu Kyi pointed out that Myanmar's 2008 Constitution is the most difficult one in the world to be amended. In the constitution, amendments require 75 percent of MPs to vote in favour. Afterward, a national referendum must be held and more than half of eligible voters must support the constitutional amendment for it to take effect.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/07/19/commission-to-be-formed-to-amend-2008-constitution/