Arakan National Party issued a statement on August 3 saying that two parliamentary representatives resigned from the Joint Committee for Constitutional Amendment as they see that the charter change effort could lead to a situation in which genuine federal union aspired by the nationalities cannot emerge and pave the way for the ruling party to remain in power by exercising centralization. 

According to the statement, the party suggested that its two members belonging to the committee should no longer participate in the charter change effort. Consequently, Upper House MP Myint Naing for Rakhine State Constituency No (5) and Lower House MP Aung Kyaw Zan for Pauktaw Constituency submitted their resignations to the committee chairman on September 3. 

In the 45-member joint committee, proposals for amending the constitution enacted in 2008 are being decided under the influence of a powerful ruling party. Other ethnic parties including ANP are not in a position to decide. Moreover, they don't have a chance to actively take part in building a genuine federation union. The amendment effort is also aimed at ensuring the ruling party remains in power through centralization. 

"We resigned as our party has asked. The party remarked that both of us should not work for the committee. There will be no replacement. We have submitted our resignation letters to the joint committee. We have to keep it secret as the tenure of the committee is not over yet. We have to keep the committee activities secret. During the meeting held yesterday, U Sein Win (another committee member) was on the list of leave although he has resigned. A member pointed out that he has already resigned. I think this is because the Union Parliament has not approved his resignation," MP Aung Kyaw Zan told the reporters. 

He said his party presented 858 points in relation to the constitutional amendment but they could be dealt with as they (the ruling party) wish. 

Lower House MP Sein Win for Maubin Township Constituency from National United Democratic Party submitted a resignation letter on September 2.