Parties prepared for election, key figures seek charter changes

Aside from President Thein Sein, about 130 representatives from 68 parties, including the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party and National League for Democracy, attended the meeting, said an official.

Union Election Commission's chairman Tin Aye and union ministers also joined the meeting.

"As our country is still far from reaching extensive agreements between political groups and leaders, we should learn from past lessons to reach common agreements by means of political dialogue," the president said in his speech.

Discussed at the meeting included topics such as the general election, national peace process and amending the Constitution.

After discussions, Thein Sein said: "We all agreed to carry out the peace process as soon as possible. Another important topic was about holding a general election that is free and fair, and successful. Power sharing and resource sharing should be prioritised.

"Some matters can be materialised quickly but it needs time for some others. For such matters that need time, we [the government] don’t have enough time left to carry all of them out. All the discussions will be noted and we will consider them seriously," he added.

After the first part of the meeting, the president left and political representatives continued their discussions in the second part.

Some representatives said such meetings between Thein Sein and the political parties have hardly reached a stage that is effective. 

 As the election draws near, Opposition leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi resumes her tour. Last Sunday, she met the people of Mawlamyine and Thanbyuzayat, receiving many questions about Section 59(f) of the Constitution, which blocks her from becoming president.

“Section 59(f) is included in the Constitution in order to prevent me from becoming president. We have to wait and see if the government amends that section or not. What I accept is that if they have the courage, they will change the Constitution and if they have not, they won’t,” said Aung San Suu Kyi.

“There are questions about the 5 million signatures in favour of amending the Constitution. In the midst of obstacles and difficulties, most of the signatories, on their own will, signed the campaign. The authorities said we got only 5 million signatures. If they really wish to know the public’s desire, let us hold a national referendum. But they give no response,” she continued. 

“Even in modern, developed countries where democratic spirit is mature, getting 5 million signatures would be truly amazing. We showed that we are willing to follow a democratic path,” she added.

A Thanbyuzayat man asked why Lower House Speaker Thura Shwe Mann did nothing to amend the Constitution despite expressing an intention to do so.

“If he [Thura Shwe Mann] wants to help, he alone can’t do anything. Even if every MP wants to change the Constitution, if the military representatives object, nothing can be done. In other words, all the representatives elected by the public have no power compared with the military representatives chosen by the commander-in-chief,” said Aung San Suu Kyi.

If the government really wanted to solve the country’s problems peacefully, President Thein Sein should hold more six-party talks, she said.

Upper House MP Aye Maung, the chairman of Rakhine National Party, said on Monday that without an agreement from the six-party talks, constitutional amendment would remain impossible.  

The talks would involve Thein Sein, Lower House Speaker Thura Shwe Mann, Upper House Speaker Khin Aung Myint, chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi of the opposition National League for Democracy, Aye Maung, representing ethnic groups, and Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing. The first was held on April 10 but the date for the second one is not yet set. 

“The Parliament has concentrated on constitutional amendments, but it cannot move yet. The constitutional amendments will not happen as long as the six-party talks cannot find out an exact answer,” Aye Maung said.

“The problem of constitutional amendment cannot be settled if the president and the military chief do not participate because 25 per cent of elected military representatives control the fate of the Constitution. 

“The people point out that the constitution needs amendment, that 5 million people signed up for charter change and that the Constitution has many outdated laws.”

In Thanbyuzayat, Mon State, Suu Kyi said that the National League for Democracy would publish pamphlets to boost awareness about voter lists. She is concerned that the voter lists are not updated, which may allow electoral fraud through illegal use of migrant workers’ votes.

She said if migrant workers left the country, the voter lists must be updated to avoid problems. Migrants, especially those in Thailand, could not cast their votes, she said. 

She also expressed concerns about the numbers leaving to look for work overseas. 

“The names of the migrant workers still exist in the original household lists. Parties can misuse these names for fraudulent votes. It is an important point, not just for the NLD. Everyone must learn this,” Suu Kyi said.

She said those living in Cyclone Nargis-affected areas in the Ayeyarwady Region moved to Mon State in 2008 and Mon State residents are working in Thailand as migrant workers. Illegal migration was on the increase, the Nobel laureate added. 

The Union Election Commission is arranging to put an ink mark on the little finger of voters to prevent repeat voting. Those found guilty of breaking the electoral law risk a fine of up to Ks100,000 or a prison term of up to a year or both.