Myanmar on Wednesday formally issued a 194-page full text of a constitution draft to be put to a nationwide referendum set for May, according to official sources.
The sale of the book on the constitution draft started on the day at government bookshops, local residents here said.
The constitution was drafted by the government-formed 54-memberState Constitution Drafting Commission, headed by Chief Justice U Aung Toe, in accordance with the detailed basic principles laid down by the National Convention.
According to the state fundamental principles contained in the constitution draft, the future name of Myanmar will be the Republic of Union of Myanmar. It will politically pursue a "genuine and discipline-flourishing multi-party system" and the military will participate in the "leading role in the country's national politics".
The state basic principles designate that Nay Pyi Taw is the country's capital and stands as a union region directly under President's administration and the country's inalienable administrative regions will be demarcated as seven regions and seven states of national races as well as six self-administered zones or higher-level division of six ethnic minorities.
The country will adopt an executive system of President as head of state and empower a Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Parliament) which comprises Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) and Amyotha Hluttaw (House of Nationalities) in legislation. The legislative power is shared by union parliament, region parliament and state parliament as well as self-administered zones' and divisions'.
The draft constitution prescribes that the military holds 25 percent of the parliament representatives in different-level parliaments and military members included in the administration of defense, security and border affairs are to be nominated by the armed forces' commander-in-chief.
The defense services commander-in-chief will represent the supreme commander of all armed forces and is legitimized to take over and exercise all state power in case a state of emergency arises that could cause disintegration of the union, disintegration of national solidarity and loss of national sovereignty.
It also stipulates that the constitution text cannot be amended without the consent of more than 75 percent from the parliament and more than half of the number of eligible voters.
With regards to judicial affairs, the basic principles designate free jurisdiction according to law except cases restricted by law. Detention of a citizen for over 24-hours without trial by the court shall not be allowed, it also said.
Dealing with the country's future foreign policy, the constitution also states that Myanmar will practice an independent, active and non-aligned one and maintain friendly relations with nations, upholding the principles of peaceful coexistence among nations. It does not allow foreign troops to be deployed in the country.
Economically, it will adopt a market-oriented economic system, allowing the private sector to participate in the economic undertakings of state, regional, cooperative and joint venture organizations for national economic development.
The draft constitution guarantees no nationalization of private economic enterprises and demonetization of legal bank notes.
According to Feb. 9 government announcement, besides the nationwide referendum, a multi-party democracy general election to transform the military administration into democratic administration will follow in 2010 in accordance with the roadmap.
According to the government's roadmap announced in August 2003, the new constitution draft is to be endorsed through a national referendum, then a general election will follow to produce parliament representatives and form a new democratic government.
Source:Xinhua
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