The Union Election Commission-UEC organized an meeting on electoral system at the Mingalar Hall of the Yangon Region Government office on 24 December and UEC Chairman U Thein Soe and Officials, ministers of Yangon region Government, Attorney General of Yangon region, the representatives of political parties and other interesting people attended the meeting.
During the meeting, UEC Chairman U Thein Soe stressed the following points:
· The proper electoral design that should be conducted with PR system for Pyithu Hluttaw, Amyotha Hluttaw and Region Hluttaw will be discussed within the boundary of the 2008 Constitution during two days and the papers of PR system resulting from the discussion will be read out on the third day.
· It is necessary to create a level playing field in conducting free and fair elections as well as the compliance with the law must also be emphasized. Only the right and appropriate electoral system and electoral processes will enable the people to elect representatives who represent the majority of people.
· In order to bring about a genuine multiparty democratic system which is the essence of the State Constitution - in conducting the processes of implementing electoral systems, designating electoral constituencies, holding free and fair elections - adoption of PR system will ensure many parties can participate in the legislative and administrative sectors as they secure seats of proportional representatives as per the votes in the general elections.
· By reducing the dominance of a single party in the Hluttaws and paving ways for the participation of other parties, the genuine and disciplined Multiparty Democracy System which is the principle of the 2008 Constitution can be practiced.
· There are 111 countries in total that have practiced the PR system. Therefore, It is required to thoroughly discuss the proper electoral design which will be appropriate for Pyithu Hluttaw, Amyotha Hluttaw and Region Hluttaws with the PR system the UEC and the political parties discussed and agreed upon.
· A total of 115 people of 62 political parties have been organized into six groups – two groups for Pyithu Hluttaw, two groups for Amyotha Hluttaw and two groups for Region/State Hluttaws. The UEC members and staff will provide necessary assistance in order to facilitate the group discussions.
· It is necessary to take lessons learnt from that past that the attempts of a single political party to forcibly grab the State Power even led to the annulment of the 2020 election results. Then the UEC chairman U Thein Soe urged the attendees to follow the State Constitution in doing party politics; to abide by the existing laws and to implement the proper electoral system that meet culture, customs, and traditions of national races and the country.
It is reported that six groups of political parties continued to discuss the proper election design under the PR system for Pyithu Hluttaw, Amyotha Hluttaw and Region/State Hluttaws and the meeting will be held on 25 and 26 December.
- Only the right and appropriate electoral system and electoral processes will enable the people to elect representatives who represent the majority of people.
- Adoption of PR system will ensure many parties can participate in the legislative and administrative sectors as they secure seats of proportional representatives as per the votes in the general elections.
- By reducing the dominance of a single party in the Hluttaws and paving ways for the participation of other parties, the genuine and disciplined Multiparty Democracy System which is the principle of the 2008 Constitution can be practiced.
- A total of 115 people of 62 political parties have been organized into six groups – two groups for Pyithu Hluttaw, two groups for Amyotha Hluttaw and two groups for Region/State Hluttaws. The UEC members and staff will provide necessary assistance in order to facilitate the group discussions.
- It is necessary to take lessons learnt from that past that the attempts of a single political party to forcibly grab the State Power even led to the annulment of the 2020 election results.