Thursday, 21 March 2013 14:11 Mizzima News
Myanmar's parliament on Wednesday approved setting up a commission to review the 2008 Constitution.
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| Military appointees to the Burmese Parliament take the oath of office. Photo: Mizzima |
According to a report by The Associated Press, the process could eventually change the political landscape by allowing opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to contest the presidency.
Parliamentarians representing the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, who proposed the commission, have said they want to change provisions concerning state governments to allow ethnic minorities increased autonomy.
The bicameral parliament agreed unanimously on Wednesday to look at the charter and consider whether to implement changes, AP said.
The 2008 Constitution was originally approved in a national referendum held in the days following the Cyclone Nargis disaster.
Critics say the Constitution’s drafting was heavily biased in favor of the ruling military junta of that time, when current president, Thein Sein, was prime minister.
One of the issues expected to be debated is the provision that 25 percent of all parliamentary seats are reserved for military appointees.
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Related articles:
- Parliament takes first step to revise Constitution
- Myanmar constitution does not benefit ethnic people, says KNU
- Suu Kyi hopeful Burma’s military will support constitutional changes
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