NLD to discuss amendments to Constitution with 13 ethnic groups

NLD to discuss amendments to Constitution with 13 ethnic groups

Published on Sunday, 08 September 2013 00:03

National League for Democracy chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi delivering a speech at the NLD National Congress held on the second week of March this year (Photo - EMG)

Most the amendments to the 2008 Constitution were agreed at the central executive meeting of the National League for Democracy held at the party headquarters in Yangon on September 6 and the NLD will keep on discussing that with 13 ethnic groups, said Nyan Win, the spokesperson of the NLD.

The spokesperson did not mention agreed points of the amendments to the Constitution. Some clauses described in the Constitution do not correspond to what were said. These points are possible to be amended practically, said Nyan Win.

Many of the points to be amended have been agreed and will be compiled. Once completed, these points will be discussed after NLD chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi returns from the visit. Now we have already formed a seven-member committee to deal with it. It will come true at the end of this month, said Nyan Win.

Nyan Win quoted Suu Kyi as saying that they have been flying the flag of seeking the national reconciliation since the founding of the NLD. The flag was still being flown up to now. All were required to take the shelter of that flag, adding that the NLD would discuss the amendments with Yangon-based 13 ethnic groups today.

The clauses the ethnics want to amend are to be compared to those of the NLD. Points of more possibility will be considered for amendment. The 25 percent seat of the Defence Service representative is untouchable. We should consider both of current political situations domestically and internationally. For the NLD, the clauses that do not correspond to current status will be discussed each by each, said Nyan Win.

Despite every citizen has the right to be elected as stipulated in the Constitution, the rights to the citizens are reduced in the description of the President's qualification. This point can raise conflict and it should be amended, said Nyan Win.

The Union Assembly parliament formed the constitutional review committee with 109 MPs including 25 Defence Service representatives and equal proportional representatives from political parties and it will submit a report on its findings before December 31 this year.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/09/08/nld-to-discuss-amendments-to-constitution-with-13-ethnic-groups/