2015 Myanmar constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was scheduled to be held in Myanmar (Burma) in May 2015.[1][2] If approved, the proposed reforms would have come into effect after the general elections in November.[3] After most of the proposed amendments to the constitution were discarded, the referendum was postponed.

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Electoral system

Proposed changes to the Constitution of Myanmar must be approved by at least 75% of both houses of the Assembly of the Union before going to a referendum. When the referendum is held, the changes must be approved by at least 50% of the registered voters, rather than 50% of those voting.[1]

Referendum bill

The proposed constitutional amendment bill was discussed at the Assembly of the Union from 23 to 25 June 2015. Amendments were confined to four key clauses.

  • Article 436 for amending the constitution be lowered from its current figure of more than 75 percent to at least 70 percent of votes, which would have ended the effective veto of the military
  • Articles 59 and 60 for presidency qualifications which bars opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency
  • Article 418(b) for military’s role in the state of emergency is declared[4]

The Assembly of the Union voted against most of the constitutional amendments on 25 June, ensuring that the military's veto power remained intact and that Aung San Suu Kyi could not become president in the 2015 general elections.[5] The result was no surprise given that 25% of the seats in the Assembly are, by law, held by the military. The proposal aimed to reduce the vote share needed to amend the constitution to 70%.[6] The Assembly of the Union approved only a minor change to article 59(d).[7]

Cancellation

The Union Election Commission requested to delay the referendum in July 2015 because it concerned only a minor change to article 59(d). On 22 July, the Assembly of the Union voted to postpone the referendum.[8]

References
  1. No Constitutional Amendments Before Election: Shwe Mann The Irrawaddy, 18 November 2014
  2. Dyer: Army stifles reform in Burma LF Press, 8 May 2015
  3. No constitutional reform before 2015 election: Shwe Mann Archived 2014-12-08 at the Wayback Machine DVB, 18 November 2014
  4. "Debate on Constitution Reform Bill Begins in Parliament". The Irrawaddy.
  5. "Myanmar's parliament blocks changes to constitution - US News". US News & World Report.
  6. "Myanmar military retains veto after constitution change vote fails". Reuters.
  7. "Referendum to Be Held to Change Wording of Requirement for Top Politicians in Myanmar". Radio Free Asia.
  8. San Yamin Aung (22 July 2015). "Parliament Votes to Postpone Planned Charter Referendum". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
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