The Union Election Commission's surprise decision to cancel by-elections due later this year has come under criticism from political analysts, who have called for the panel's chairman to be replaced.
Political commentator Dr Yan Myo Thein told Mizzima on September 10 he was concerned about a comment by UEC chairman U Tin Aye at a news conference to announce the cancellation of the polls.
U Tin Aye had been asked at the September 7 news conference at the Myanmar Peace Center about his continued role as chairman of the UEC.
“The President appointed me, so you'd better ask the President," U Tin Aye said.
Dr Yan Myo Thein described the response as defiant and said it raised concerns about the future intentions of U Tin Aye, a former lieutenant-general and member of parliament for the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party.
“It is possible that even the 2015 election could be postponed with the excuse that the nationwide ceasefire agreement has not been endorsed,” said Dr Yan Myo Thein.
Political analyst U Kyaw Lin Oo said he believed that U Tin Aye’s past made him unsuitable for the role as UEC chairman.
“The commission should be fair, honest and trustworthy," said U Kyaw Lin Oo. "The appointment of a former general and USDP leader has to be viewed as suspicious," he said.
U Ko Ni, a lawyer, told Mizzima he believed the reasons cited by U Tin Aye for cancelling the by-elections could not be legally justified under the constitution or the Union Election Commission Law.
