Signature campaign under watch: Thein Sein

“Some political groups are collecting signatures from the people to support charter change. All political groups should make joint efforts aimed at the improvement for individuals and the entire population,” Thein Sein said.

He called for the existing political dialogue to work out a mutual agreement on amending, cancelling and supplementing constitutional provisions. The dialogue is underway to achieve national consolidation through the peace process.

The next step is that relevant parties should propose amendments with farsightedness, wisdom and goodwill, he said.

The relevant parties are obliged to uphold provisions designed to protect the national interest and the sovereignty even though any citizen and any ethnicity should not be deprived of the right to assume the country’s leadership, he said.

He was speaking in reference to the ban for National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to contest the presidency.

“We will adhere to the principle of amending the constitution under time and circumstance of the prevailing situation to meet political, economic and social requirements. If deemed necessary, the amendments should be based on mutual agreement under the political dialogue, which is part of the peace process we are trying to achieve,” he said.

The president said efforts for charter change should meet the democratic norms, paving way for the emergence of an open and independent society.

He reminded relevant parties to embrace democratic rule and spirit following the absence of democracy for several years.

He said political figures should promote transparency when formulating policies and making decisions.

In his May 26 speech marking the 3rd anniversary of his presidency, he called attention to the compliance of the constitution’s Chapter 12 specifying the procedures for charter change.

He said Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed forces) must play a role in the transition to democracy, arguing that the military involvement is still essential to solving political problems.

The opposition, led by the NLD and 88 Generation Open Society, is of the view that the 2008 constitution should be amended in order to pave way for genuine democracy.

The push to amend the Charter is meant to ensure equal rights by curtailing privileges granted to the military.

Suu Kyi told reporters last Friday that Charter change would be the litmus test on whether Myanmar was on the right track for democracy.