'Change charter six months before election'
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Myanmar must complete the legislative process for what should be amended in the constitution at least six months before the next national election - which is expected in late 2015, says the Union Parliament speaker.
Speaker Thura Shwe Mann explained the basic principles of the constitutional amendments during a parliamentary session in the nation’s capital yesterday.
His comments, adopted as a principle, came after the chairperson of the Union Parliament’s implementation committee for amending the constitution sent a letter requesting the adoption of basic principles.
In his basic principles for the charter change, Shwe Mann proposed a working guideline. He said that legislative measures must be completed for constitutional amendments at least six months before the next elections.
One of the principles states that ways must be sought for the military role to be kept within the framework of democracy in order to ensure the peace, stability and development of the state and to make the constitution suitable for the current age and system.
Another principle calls for reduction of the government’s centralisation and ensuring more autonomy and equal rights if necessary.
“Ensuring eternal peace by forging national unity between the ethnic minorities,” Shwe Mann said.
According to the principles, a study must be done, if necessary, regarding amendments to the provision stating that members of parliament shall not get involved in parliament and party politics if they are appointed as president, vice-president or union minister.
The adopted principles also point out that elected people must only be appointed as president, vice-president or a minister in accordance with democratic norms and standards.
