NLD hosts talk in Yangon on proportional representation
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System opposed as many see it as a way to stop opposition from gaining power
The opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) is seeking to raise public awareness about moves to change the voting system, organised a public talk on proportional representation in Yangon.
Supporters from three townships – Pazaungtaung, Botahtaung and Mingalar Taungyunt in Yangon East District – were invited to attend the talk at Ramakrishna Hall on Botahtaung Pagoda Road on Friday.
NLD advocate Ko Ni and writer Saya Htin Lin Oo (“Wisdom Villa”) spoke about the new electoral system.
Ko Ni of the NLD said: “The first-past-the-post system has been practised in elections since we regained independence. There was no problem at the time. The people need to know why some want the proportional representation system to be brought in.”
Maung Maung Myint Kyaw, NLD chairman in Pazaungtaung Township, said: “The public talk was attended by more than 250 people.”
MP Khin Waing Kyi submitted a proposal for the proportional representation system to be used for choosing members of the Upper House during its 10th session. And Lower House MP Aung Zin has proposed that the system be used in the Lower House of parliament also.
But NLD and ethnic representatives strongly oppose to the proportional representation system.
A commission has been set up to study and review what electoral system best suits the country, with 24 MPs from the Lower House.
Tin Maung Oo, chair of the commission, said: “The electoral system needs to be suited to the country and it must stop any disintegration of national consolidation.”
Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of the NLD, has said: “There are no countries that can achieve national reconciliation with the proportional representation system. It really goes against the Constitution.”
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Speaker Thura Shwe Mann said: “The electoral system must be designated fairly. It must be decided if the proportional representation system is in line with the Constitution – with approval of the Constitutional Tribunal.”
Protests have been launched in some townships against the proportional representation system, which some fear could be designed as a way to prevent the NLD gaining power in the 2015 election.
Ceasefire talks
Separately, the government and ethnic representatives have yet to continue discussing some issues at national ceasefire talks due to suspicion between the two sides, according to a press conference after the second day at the Myanmar Peace Centre in Yangon on Saturday.
The draft ceasefire between the government’s Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) and the National Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) has 103 points, but only 91 have been addressed. Ten points remain to be discussed, while leaders have to make decisions for the remaining two points.
One of the issues yet to be discussed is “no recruitment of new members”. Pado Kwe Htoo Win, of the Karen National Union, said: “A nationwide ceasefire is around the corner. But discussions will continue on not recruiting new members.
“The government proposed not recruiting new members after signing the ceasefire. We, the ethnic people, don’t do forced recruitment. If we have a vow to build peace after the ceasefire, there is no need to recruit new members. If we have understanding, we want nothing,” he said.
A nationwide ceasefire is unlikely to occur in September, as originally expected, because top leaders on both sides have to submit progress reports on the ceasefire draft. Preparations will be made to sign the draft ceasefire. However, the draft agreement will have to be turned into a real agreement.
“The leaders of both sides will have to try to finalise the draft ceasefire agreement. The NCCT needs to get confirmation from its leaders. Similarly, we need to present reports to the UPWC,” the KNU man said.
On the first day, the government accepted the principle of establishing a federal union mainly, as proposed by the ethnic armed groups.
Armed conflicts have occurred between government and ethnic groups for more than 60 years, displacing hundreds of thousands of people. A proper peace agreement should play an important role in rehabilitating internally displaced people.
