The Union Election Commission has issued a warning to opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi over a challenge she issued to the Tatmadaw MPs to support constitutional change.
The warning – issued in a letter dated May 22 and signed by the UEC’s secretary, U Tin Tun – was sent to all political parties.
A copy of the letter, which is addressed to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in her capacity as leader of the National League for Democracy, was provided to Mizzima on May 26 by Pyithu Hluttaw MP U Thein Nyunt (New National Democracy Party, Thingangyun Township, Yangon Region).
The letter warned Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that Tatmadaw MPs were sitting in the parliament under the provisions of the 2008 Constitution and her comments were inappropriate.
The opposition leader made the comments during a speech at a rally in Mandalay on May 18 when she challenged Tatmadaw MPs to support the campaign for amendments to the constitution.
The letter quoted Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as having said: “I would like to suggest that you prove you are not doing this for authority, power and special opportunities. The word ‘suggest’ here is more like a challenge. I want to challenge you.”
The Mandalay rally, attended by an estimated 100,000 people, was organised jointly by the NLD and the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society group.
Among the constitutional provisions they want amended is Article 436, which provides for 25 percent of hluttaw members to be appointed members of the military, giving them an effective veto over charter change, which requires the support of more than 75 percent of the Union parliament.
