YANGON — A petition calling for the removal of an effective military veto over constitutional amendments in Myanmar has been submitted to parliament, the opposition said Thursday.
"Five million signatures were sent to parliament Wednesday," said a statement from Nyan Win, spokesman for the opposition National League for Democracy.
The signature campaign organized by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD party and the Peace and Open Society headed by student leaders of the 1988 uprising, calls for changes to Article 436, which grants an effective veto to the military.
Representatives of Myanmar political parties attend a meeting with members of Myanmar government peace-making group at Myanmar Peace Centre Monday in Yangon. The main opposition party on Thursday submitted a petition calling for the removal of an effective military veto over constitutional amendments. (AP photo)
Amendments can only occur with the support of more than 75% of lawmakers. The constitution written in 2008 under the former military junta, allocates 25% of the seats for military members who are appointed without election.
"Without removing the military veto, any important charter change that they don't want could not be achieved," student leader Ko Ko Gyi said last week. As the petition has no legal effect on parliament, lawmakers could ignore the effort, he said.
"But I believe parliament will pay attention to the petition," Mr Gyi said.
Shwe Man, chairman of ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party and speaker of parliament, said Monday the petition would have some effect although he had dismissed the initiative two months ago.
The NLD is also calling for amendments to an article that effectively bars Suu Kyi from becoming president because her two sons are not citizens of Myanmar.
Myanmar had made dramatic political changes since a quasi-civilian government led by President Thein Sein, who is a former junta senior leader, took power in 2011.