Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing cordially meets officials of registered political parties Party members should be the core of their own party and also of democracy
Nay Pyi Taw January 6
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing cordially met officials of the registered political parties at Ngu Shwewa Hall of his office here this morning.
Also present were Secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dway, Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Union Minister for Legal Affairs Dr Thida Oo, Union Election Commission Chair U Thein Soe, legal advisers, UEC members, and chairs, vice-chairs and officials of 39 registered political parties.
In his discussion, the Senior General said Tatmadaw had to assume the State duties inevitably in accord with the 2008 Constitution because of the vote rigging that occurred during the 2020 multi-party general election. Repeated demands to correct the erroneous voter lists were unattended. A flawed voter list is unacceptable in an election. Hence, Tatmadaw had to declare a State of emergency and assume the State duties.
The incumbent government’s ultimate goal is to hold a free and fair election and transfer the State duties to the party that wins the election. But the attempts to solve the political problem through violent means instead of political means had led to the outbreak of armed conflicts in the country. During the time, the country was facing the COVID-19 pandemic and a drop-in economy. Hence, the Senior General played the leading role in conducting COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment undertakings in the country, and also made strenuous efforts to promote the national economy.
At the same time, EAOs had taken the situation as an advantage and magnified their terrorist acts. Till now, clashes can be seen in some places.
In cooperation with Myanmar Police Force and with the force of the people, the Tatmadaw is trying to eliminate terrorist attacks with energetic efforts.
The final point of the adopted roadmap says, “Upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair multi-party democratic elections will be held in line with the 2008 Constitution, and further work will be undertaken to hand over State duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards”.
As the previous government held an inglorious election, SAC is making preparations in all sectors to hold a dignified election.
All the parties present here are believed to be the ones who have trust in and accept democracy. All the members of a party should be the core force of the party and democracy that knows how to effectively use the party’s strength in the nation’s interest. Moreover, they must take part in ensuring national peace and stability. The country regained independence 76 years ago. Some of the independent countries of the world are peaceful and stable, but some are not. Peace and stability will bring national progress. People of the nation should work with unity for national development and solve all disagreements through peaceful means.
The entire nation needs peace and stability to install democracy.
Inclusive public security system will ensure peace and stability.
The country faced some losses and the people also faced loss of life and property due to the terrorist attacks of PDF terrorist group that appeared in the later periods of 2021. Political parties must know the disagreements and weaknesses and should systematically adopt firm and specific policies and goals.
SAC has adopted the political vision, the national vision, the roadmap, and objectives and is striving for political, economic and social progress. It is also providing support for the MSME development which also calls for involvement of the parties.
They should also take part in ensuring all school age children attend classes and employment for all people who can work.
Education will widen the scope of knowledge of school age children who pursue education.
Party members must take part in ensuring educational opportunities for every school age child in the country.
All parties that will take part in the coming election are likely to strive for region-wise development of education, economic and social sectors. The government is conducting a population and housing census that is an election pre-process.
As the census conducted by the Ministry of Immigration and Population has the fundamental list it is more accurate. According to international practice, the census must be conducted every ten years, and as it will help ensure a correct voter list, the collective involvement of all parties in this matter is a requisite.
In the last elections, the FPTP system was adopted. Regarding the implementation of the PR system, discussions will be held with political parties and ethnic groups. Regarding the amendment of the constitution also, necessary preparations will be made. The amendment will be done through the parliamentary channel.
While preparations are being made for the success of the election, armed violence is creating obstacles. Efforts will be made to achieve stability and peace as soon as possible. It is possible to hold an election without fail, but it must be a politically dignified election. As for the political parties, they need to have a spirit of working for the betterment of the country. The officials from the political parties who attended this meeting are invited to openly discuss and suggest what is needed for the good of the nation.
After that, the chairs, vice chairs and officials from the political parties whose registrations have been approved presented the needs of each party suggestions for the good of the country. They discussed the guidelines established by the State Administration Council, their activities being carried out under the supervision and guidance of the Union Election Commission, the conditions under which the parties will be able to participate in the development and success of MSMEs, the conditions under which the parties will be able to participate in the public security system, necessary efforts to make all the national people cherish the country, the need to ease some of the rules and regulations set for political parties, promotion of democracy, granting of permission for political parties to have opportunities for the adoption of a strong public security system, assistance to be rendered for the development of local agricultural and livestock industries, assistance to be provided by the State as there are difficulties opening party offices, the issues that should be raised for the correct collection of censuses, necessary measures for national security, and measures to be taken by the State to ensure every citizen has the right to vote.
Then, the Chairman of the Union Election Commission discussed the granting of registration permission for the parties, the dissolution of some parties that did not meet the specified rules and regulations, and the need for the political parties to fulfill the requirements of the law as the Union Election Commission is operating according to the legal requirements.
The Union Minister for Legal Affairs discussed his reviews over the political parties’ request for easing the rules and regulations, and U Sit Aye, member of the legal advisory board, electoral matters.
In his supplementary discussion, the Senior General gave a brief discussion of the national economy. He said that there has been no encouragement of manufacturing activities in the country for ages. The government has responsibility to create jobs and push for success. Since his government took charge, the country has not received foreign loans and has faced many economic sanctions. Therefore, efforts must be exerted to be able to operate with the money earned from exports. A lot of foreign currency is being spent on fuel and cooking oil. So, measures are being taken to re-operate the domestic oil refineries with full capacity in order to meet the needs of fuel for local factories and industries.
Efforts are also being made to meet domestic edible oil needs, and investment funds have already been released from the National Economic Promotion Fund. To increase the salary of the civil servants as discussed in the presentations, the State to act depending on its revenues and budgets.
The civil servants are being provided with expenses for uniforms, allowances and cash awards.
The State will fulfill the needs of political parties as much as it can, but some demands will be considered and processed. The Senior General said he will pay attention to the submissions of each political party and will do what he can. As all the parties are urged to work together as much as possible for the benefit of the country and the public.
For the success of the election, concerted efforts are being made, he concluded.
Later, the Senior General cordially greeted the party chairmen, vice chairmen and officials.