The ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) Party proposed to reduce the inclusion ratio of defence service personnel representatives in parliament beginning the next term of parliament, at the meeting of the Joint Constitutional Amendment Committee, according to a committee member.

The committee members discussed around 70 sections under Chapter-4 of the 2008 Constitution at the 7th meeting of the Joint Constitutional Amendment Committee, in Nay Pyi Taw on March 18.

“The meeting came to an end at around 2 pm. Discussions of Chapter-4 have not finished yet. Most of ethnics suggested that this chapter should be amended. The NLD proposed to lower the ratio of defence service personnel representatives in both parliaments. The plan is to reduce the ratio three times. Under this plan, it needs to reduce 15 per cent in third term of parliament in 2020, 10 per cent in the fourth term and five per cent in the fifth term respectively,” the committee member said.

Ethnic parties proposed to exclude military MPs from the parliaments. Defence service personnel representatives and MPs from the opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) made no any suggestion until now.

Parties proposed to abolish the Union parliament, at the joint committee meeting.

MP Aung Kyi Nyunt from Magway Region Constituency-4 said: “Chapter-4 includes sections 74 to 198. We have discussed Section 147. We will continue discussing it tomorrow. I am unable to officially release the amendments proposed by relevant parties in detail.”

The Joint Constitutional Amendment Committee will hold its meetings when the parliaments are adjourned.