NLD begins public talks on amending 2008 Constitution
Play
Most of those present in 2 townships vote to amend Charter
The National League for Democracy (NLD) held public consultations in two Yangon townships, seeking input on whether to amend or replace the 2008 Constitution.
In South Dagon Township, a talk by NLD Constitution Amending Committee member Ko Ne drew a crowd of about 300.
He said the party’s review of the constitution would be consistent with democratic standards and would focus on two key issues.
The first is how many people have a desire to either amend or replace the constitution, and the second is how democratic the process for change will be this time. Ko Ne noted that only a few representatives elected by the people were involved in drafting the 2008 Constitution, while most participants were selected by the junta.
With the country in chaos due to Cyclone Nargis, the constitutional referendum that took place within days of the disaster was completely one-sided, he said, with the junta claiming that the draft constitution was supported by more than 92 per cent of eligible voters.
Ko Ne also compared the three constitutions of 1947, 1974 and 2008, saying that the 2008 Constitution was even worse than the one drafted to establish one-party rule, as it gave a key role to the military.
He stressed that the 1947 Constitution was the most rational, as the country’s government following it provided stability.
For a time, Myanmar was the richest among Southeast Asian countries, thanks to its teak and rice exports. But in 1987 it was declared a “least developed country”, having been ruled by an undemocratic government since the military coup in 1962.
After his talk, more than 90 per cent of attendees voted to amend the Constitution. At the NLD’s talk held in North Okkalapa Township, 86 per cent of the nearly 500 attendees also voted for amendments.
“First [we] should try to amend it. If that is not possible, then we should figure out another way. I believe the military is also interested in amending it,” said Kyaw Myint, a resident attending the talk in North Okkalapa Township.
The NLD said it would try to hold the talks in as many townships as possible, in order to reach the public.
It also said it would present the people’s opinions about the Constitution, as collected in the talks, to the parliamentary constitution review committee.
