Sunday Times 2
Millions back Suu Kyi call for Myanmar charter change
View(s):YANGON, July 19 (AFP) -Myanmar’s opposition has gathered millions of signatures in support of changes to a constitution that bars its leader Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president, in a show of political strength ahead of elections next year.
Suu Kyi has travelled the country drawing crowds of thousands with speeches urging the military to accept a reduced political role, as her party of democracy veterans touts its moral authority in the former army-run nation.
A campaigner wears a T-shirt that reads “No on section 436 law” during a signature campaign in Yangon. Myanmar's opposition has gathered millions of signatures in support of changes to a constitution that bars its leader Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president (AFP)
The petition, which was launched in May, had gathered around three million signatures by early July.
“In a democratic country the people’s will is important. That is why this is important,” Nyan Win, a spokesman for Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party, told AFP.
The campaign, which ends today, is focused on altering a provision that currently ensures the military has a veto on any amendment to the junta-era charter.
To alter the constitution there needs to be support from a majority of over 75 percent of parliament.
Unelected soldiers, who make up a quarter of the legislature, therefore have the last say on changes to the charter.
Nyan Win said he expects the clause to be altered during the current sitting of parliament, which ends later this month, and that this would enable further changes.
“It is the main door. If it opens, you’ll see everything,” he said.