Union Election Commission chairman U Tin Aye could not be removed from his position because some people do not like him, Information Minister and presidential spokesperson U Ye Htut told Mizzima on September 24.
“In the appointment of the chairman of the UEC, it is important to act in accordance with the constitution and in a manner that provides for free and fair elections," U Ye Htut said.
"As all have acknowledged the commission delivered free and fair by-elections in 2012, it would be impossible to replace him just because some people do not like him,” he said.
U Ye Htut was responding to calls that U Tin Aye be replaced in the wake of the decision announced by the UEC chair on September 7 cancelling by-elections due to take place this year.
Among those who made the calls were U Ko Ni, a lawyer, who told Mizzima on September 10 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.
He added that U Tin Aye’s appointment came before amendments were made to the 2012 Election Commission Law and that he did not meet the legislative provisions to be the UEC's chairman.
