NLD, ethnic parties unite in push for constitutional reform before 2015 election

Aung Sun Suu Kyi, opposition leader and head of Myanmar’s National League for Democracy (NLD), has united with leaders from five major ethnic political parties in a push to amend the constitution ahead of general elections in 2015. At the same time, they agreed that a change to the electoral system is not necessary in the near future.

According to Aye Thar Aung, leader of the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), a meeting was held with five of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) member parties on Tuesday at Suu Kyi’s Yangon residence where they agreed on the need for constitutional and legal change.

The groups united behind the NLD in unanimously rejecting a proportional representation (PR) system, acknowledging that despite the flaws of the current ‘first-past-the-post’ system, a PR system would likely cause more problems for the ethnic minorities.

During the two-hour meeting, Suu Kyi emphasized the importance of gradually reducing the 25 percent of seats currently held by the military, as well as addressing other outstanding contradictions in the 2008 constitution.

“Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that military participation is the most important issue to address,” said Aye Thar Aung. “We need to gradually decrease the military’s quota of parliamentary seats.”

The attendees reiterated the importance of introducing the federal model, giving ethnic states increased autonomy. However both Suu Kyi and the ethnic party leaders conceded that the transition will likely play out slowly.

“Daw Suu said today [Wednesday] that unless we amend the constitution the country will be left behind,” said Pu Cin Sian Thang, from the Zomi National Network. “And I agree.”

It’s the first time Aung Sun Suu Kyi has met with the UNA party leaders together since her release from house arrest over two years ago.

Along with the NLD’s Aung San Suu Kyi, party leaders attended from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, the Arakan League for Democracy, the Mon National League for Democracy, the Zomi National network, and the Karen National Congress for Democracy.

The leaders agreed to continue meeting throughout the lead-up to the 2015 election, committing to discussions on constitutional change both within and outside of the House of Representatives.

 src: mizzima

note: may be Zomi Congress for Democracy instead of the word, Zomi National Network (but not sure)