The campaign by the opposition National League for Democracy and the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society movement for amendments to the constitution has attracted the support of ethnic minority groups.
The chairman of the Mon National Party, U Naing Ngwe Thein, told Mizzima on May 19 that it was joining the campaign because it was essential the constitution be amended.
“Unless the constitution is amended we cannot expect a federal union,” U Naing Ngwe Thein said.
The secretary of the Shan National League for Democracy, U Sai Nyunt Lwin, said on May 18 it had decided to join the campaign because the movement to amend Article 436 of the constitution “will be strengthened by the inclusion of people from ethnic minority groups”.
Article 436 of the constitution provides for 25 percent of hluttaw members to be appointed members of the military and gives them an effective veto over charter change, which requires the support of more than 75 percent of the Union parliament.
U Naing Soe Myint of the United Nationalities Alliance said it had met 88 Generation leaders on May 12 to discuss collaboration in the campaign against Article 436.
Speaking in Mandalay on May 18 at a rally in support of constitutional change jointly organised with the NLD, a leader of the 88 Generation group, Ko Min Ko Naing, said more such gatherings would be held throughout the country in an effort to motivate members of ethnic minorities to support the campaign.
