Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has said he hopes that when it comes to the peace issue, an agreement could be reached in December with the ethnic armed organizations, while efforts are being made to hold an election as scheduled.
He disclosed the information during a speech delivered at the SAC meeting 9/2022 at the SAC Chairman’s Office in Nay Pyi Taw on November 11.
“Ethnic armed organizations were invited to talk about the peace for restoration of internal peace. The talks based on the Constitution (2008) and the nationwide ceasefire agreement-NCA was participated by 10 ethnic armed organizations. The government explained to them measures to be taken under the law. To do so, it is necessary to submit it to the parliament, which is the highest political platform. As parliament needs ethnic representatives to discuss, elections must be held in all regions and states,” the Senior General said.
He added that the parliament must comprise ethnic representatives who are capable of discussing ethnic affairs and regional affairs. Some organizations accepted the PR system for the participation of ethnic nationals in the parliament. Further talks are being held with EAOs. He then disclosed that an agreement could be reached in December with the EAOs as remarkable progress has been achieved in the previous talks.
When it comes to election, the final stage of the five-point road map has stated that upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair multiparty democratic elections will be held in line with the 2008 Constitution, and further work will be undertaken to hand over State duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards. Efforts are being made to hold the election as scheduled. In the three previous elections, voting took place in 325 townships, 323 townships and 315 townships respectively, the SAC chair said.
“In holding a multiparty democracy general election, we must make sure it is free and fair. Only if an election that is true and acceptable to the people can be held in all the regions, will the next government’s tasks be successful. We are making efforts as much as we can to be able to resume the election. It is necessary to systematically form political parties. So, talks are being held with the political parties. The parties need to be reliable to the people and their candidates need to become parliamentary representatives who the people could trust and elect. Therefore, we intend to hold the election under PR system,” the Senior General said.
