Discussion on key charter section scheduled for June 23
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Nay Pyi Taw - Seventy-five members of parliament will be on the list to discuss the bill containing amendments to Section 436(A) of the 2008 constitution on June 23.
“The members of parliament will have to hold discussions over the amendment bill for Section 436(A), and then the parliament will make decisions on charter change from June 23 to 25,” Thura Shwe Mann said as he announced the discussion plan on June 18.
The section is the heart of the Constitution, as it stipulates that any change to the highest law must be approved by at least 75 per cent of votes. The military now holds 25 per cent of parliamentary seats. Such makes it nearly impossible to amend other sections including Section 59(F).
Section 59(F) states that the president and the vice-president must not have foreign children or spouses. This blocks opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming the next president.
The bill to amend the Constitution was submitted by MP Thein Zaw to the Union parliament on June 10. It has won supports from 43.52 per cent of MPs.
To discuss the issue on Section 436(A) will cover 33 MPs from the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP); 26 from National League for Democracy; three from the Tatmadaw; and two each from the All Mon Region Democracy Party, the National Democratic Force Party, the Shan National League for Democracy Party, and the Chin National Progressive Party.
The rest are one each from the Rakhine National Party, the Ta’ang (Palaung) National League for Democracy Party, the National Unity Party, and the Salon Sawaw National Party. One independent MP will also join the discussion.
