Thursday, February 17, 2011

Tin Aye to be EC chairman; Tun Tun Oo appointed chief justice

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Thursday, 17 February 2011 21:45 Ko Wild

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The nomination of former Lieutenant General Tin Aye to be the next chairman of the powerful Union Election Commission (UEC) could be confirmed by a joint session of the Burmese Parliament on Friday.

A joint session of Parliament in session in
Naypyidaw. (Photo: AFP)

In other business on Thursday, the eighth session of the new Parliament, a joint session of the upper and lower houses unanimously approved the appointment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Tun Tun Oo, who previously served as deputy chief justice.

In order to conform to Parliamentary rules, Tin Aye resigned as a member of Parliament on Wednesday. He represented the Tadaoo Township constituency in Mandalay Division.

The next order of business on Friday could also see the nomination of the remaining UEC members. Under the rules of Parliament, lawmakers can raise objections against nominations, which are made by President Thein Sein.

However, most nominees named to fill key posts in the new government have been confirmed by lawmakers without any dissenting votes, or debate. The Parliament session on Thursday lasted about 10 minuets, which has been the average of sessions all this week.

According to the Constitution, the chairman and members of UEC can not serve as members of a political party. The UEC exercises far reaching powers in determining the qualifications of political candidates, arbitrating in political disputes and challenges pertaining the election laws, and hearing cases of malfeasance.

The state-run newspapers in Rangoon did not report anything on Tin Aye’s resignation as an MP.

According to the Constitution, the qualifications for the UEC chairman and members are that they be at least 50 years of age, have experience in law or qualify as ‘eminent persons’ as deemed by the president.

Tin Aye served as member of the generals’ ruling body, the State Peace and Development Council.

A  profile of retired Lieutenant General Tin Aye

Born: Letsaungyu village, Tadaoo Township, Mandalay

Education: B.A. Defence Services Academy

Occupation: SPDC member

Spouse: Kyi Kyi Ohn

Children: one daughter, two sons (one son works in the media and another son is a retired serviceman).

Military career: Commanding officer of Infantry Battalion No. 17 in 1987; in 1988, lieutenant colonel rank and chairman of the Township Peace and Development Council in Myeik; later, assigned to Central Command, Tactical Command Commander in a Light Infantry Division; Commander of No. 4 Military Operations Command; SPDC member and commander of Southern Command; chairman of Pegu Division Peace and Development Council; chairman of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd.; Military Ordnance Production Chief; Lieutenant General in Defence Ministry. He has received 15 decorations including the Distinguished Service Medal for military engagements in Mengyan and Maethawaw.

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