Second-day meeting of UEC, political parties on electoral reform continues
2021 November 7
The second-day meeting of the Union Election Commission and the representative of political parties on the electoral system continued at the Yangon Region Government office yesterday.
At the meeting, U Tin Swe from the Democratic Party (Myanmar) said, at the National Convention for the Drafting of the 2008 Constitution on 30-31 October 2006, Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission U Aung Toe said proportional representation was being adopted in many countries and Myanmar was required to establish a wide constituency and enact the necessary laws as per the decision of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. He discussed that the implementation of the PR system in the current Pyithu Hluttaw would lead to a good political culture in the 330-seat Pyithu Hluttaw, which selects the Chief Executive (President) as well as a good government and a strong legislature would emerge which integrate the differences.
U Aung Zin from the National Democratic Force Party said the issue of electoral reform in Myanmar is in the interest of the whole nation as well as the history of the country and emerging political processes, adding it is playing a vital role towards a new democratic federal union. He highlighted the need to pay special attention to the emergence of nation-building not only state-building but also for nation-building with multiethnic characteristics with democratic characteristics, the need to provide inclusive representation in each Hluttaw for the peace and the unity of the whole nation.
He also discussed the National Democratic Force Party has been working since 2012 to create a proportional representation (PR) system compatible with the Union of Myanmar for the emergence of a federal democratic union in Myanmar.
U Thein Zaw from Pyi said the proposal was made to include the efforts of the candidates to make the referendum acceptable to the people in order to help build a modern and developed democracy and not to deviate too much from the previous voting system. He made a detailed discussion on electoral system designs for PR elections.
U Khin Maung Thein from the National Unity Party discussed that implementation of the PR system could have advantages such as more opportunities for small parties and ethnic minorities to enter parliament, guaranteeing the rights of individual voters, increasing public interest in the election and improving turn-out, increasing access to an all-inclusive voter, practising the participation of 30% women in parliament, and reducing the influence of a single party and preventing a democratic dictatorship. He suggested that the new PR system should be introduced in the next election after the completion of emergency duties.
U Khaw Tain from New Democracy Party (Kachin) said in the previous election period, only the two major parties took turns in power, with the emergence of a strong one-party dictatorship and fewer opportunities for small ethnic minority parties due to the weak electoral system, population disparities, focus on townships and weaknesses in the rules regarding temporary migrants. He said it is necessary to change the PR system to include multi-party participation in parliament if a disciplined multi-party democracy will be practised in the 2008 Constitution.
He called for a simple PR system and designation of constituencies based on existing regions/states/districts/townships under the provisions of the 2008 Constitution and the possibility of a non-discriminatory system for ethnic minorities. He also gave suggestions on constituency division.
Daw Nan Htike Htike Win Kyaw from the Phlone-Sqaw Democratic Party discussed the systems for the township and population-based Amyotha Hluttaw PR system and for electing state and ethnic affairs ministers. She added the use of the PR system aims to create a parliamentary environment that is inclusive, in addition, to preventing electoral fraud and developing a free and fair nation.
Daw Win Kay Khine Aye from the National Political Alliances said the electoral system used during the colonial era, independence and parliamentary era, and the 2010-2020 democratic period were winner-take-all systems (FPTP system), however, due to the weakness of the system, only the winning party in parliament is dominated which resulted in disadvantages such as ignoring the interests of the people and the votes of the people who supported the other parties were wasted due to the lack of multi-party participation and the inability to have a voice of ethnic parties in parliament.
She highlighted that only through the practice of proportional representation will be able to serve the interests of different ethnic nationalities, adding that she believes that the federal rights desired by the ethnic nationalities can be realized through the parliamentary process.
Afterwards, the Chairman of the Union Election Commission concluded the meeting. He expressed words of appreciation to those who enthusiastically participated in the discussion. He said the Chief Minister of the Yangon region government had made suggestions in defining constituencies, and the best will be considered although there are limitations.
This is the third time the Union Election Commission and political parties held a meeting. The first and the second meeting agreed on the electoral system, and this time focused on the implementation of a PR system that is appropriate with Myanmar. He said it is necessary to consider participating in law and administration to ensure security for all ethnic groups, adding it will improve and the country will develop more depending on the organizational capacity.
He also said political parties and interested people will be invited in the next month or two to a wide-ranging consultation on electoral system design for Region/State Hluttaw. He also added the efforts of the staff of the Union Election Commission to develop electoral researches, and that the best will be carried by obtaining opinions and ideas of political parties.
The meeting was attended by 92 representatives from 51 political parties and 18 civil society representatives, it is reported.