Myanmar’s parliament began the 11th session of the House of Representatives (Lower House) and the House of Nationalities (Upper House) on Thursday.
In his opening address on the first day of the Lower House session, Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann said discussions on the constitution amendment issue and other important laws as well as the state budget would be on the agenda of the session, Xinhua reported.
With dozens of bills seeking approval during the 11th parliament session, the country’s parliament is expected to mainly hear the final reports of the committee for implementing amendments to the constitution and that of a commission of the House of Representatives on observation of an electoral system that suits the country in the upcoming general election in 2015.
Myanmar’s 10th parliament session lasted from May 28 to July 31.
By-election
Myanmar’s Union Election Commission cancelled the upcoming second by-election which was scheduled for the end of this year.
U Tin Aye, chairman of the commission, made the announcement after meeting dozens of Yangon-based political parties at the Myanmar Peace Centre, Xinhua reported. The by-election was cancelled due to the upcoming ASEAN Summit to be hosted by Myanmar in November as well as the parliament session.
U Tin Aye, however, said the general election will be held at the end of 2015, possibly in November as planned. Political parties expressed no objection to the decision of the commission.
The by-election was scheduled to be held for 35 open parliamentary seats.