Myanmar's parliament agrees on increased power sharing in constitution amendment

Myanmar's parliament on Wednesday voted in favor of some sub-sections of the constitution amendment bill under Section 436 (b) dealing with power sharing between the central government and region or state governments, agreeing to increase power to the region or state level administration.

The secret voting came several days after debate as a follow-up done on other sections of the amendment on June 25.

The sub-sections deal with power sharing of executive, taxation and resources.

One particular section proposing to amend for appointing chief minister of regions or states by the parliament failed to win 75- percent vote to get approved, retaining that the region or state chief ministers are to be assigned by the president without change under the existing constitution.

Amendment bills for all other sections were not passed.

On June 25, Myanmar's parliament vetoed almost all six sections of amendment bills but one for the 2008 constitution. The only one section, which was voted in its favor, is Section 59(d) dealing with the qualification of a presidential candidate.

Other amendment bills, submitted by the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), for the remaining five Sections, 59 (f), 436(a), 436 (b), 60 (c) and 418 (b) were turned down as the number of voters stood less than 75 percent, the percentage required to pass the bill. Endi