YANGON, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Myanmar State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) formed a state constitution drafting commission Thursday to
start drafting a new constitution, Radio Myanmar reported in a
night broadcast.
The formation is to reflect the continuation and the future completion of the government's seven-step roadmap to democracy, said a SPDC announcement, signed by its first secretary Lieutenant-General Thein Sein.
The 54-member commission is chaired by Chief Justice U Aung Toeand Attorney-General U Aye Maung as Vice-Chairman. The remaining members include two ministers -- Information Minister Brigadier-General Kyaw Hsan and Cultural Minister Major-General Khin Aung Myint as well as several legal experts.
The establishment of the commission to draft a new state constitution represented another step of the seven-step of the roadmap following the end of the National Convention on Sept. 3, which completed laying down all detailed basic principles to be based for the purpose.
In the national convention, which lasted for 14 years starting 1993 after the 1990 multi-party democracy general election, detailed basic principles under the headings of a total of 15 chapters of a new state constitution were adopted by the convention participated by more than 1,000 delegates of eight categories of delegate groups.
The 15 chapters are termed as "State Fundamental Principles", "Structure of State", "Head of state", "Legislature", "Executive" ,"Judiciary", "Tatmadaw (Armed Forces), "Citizenship and Citizens' Fundamental Rights and Responsibilities", "Election", "Political Parties", "Provisions on State of Emergency", "Amendments of Constitution", "State Flag, State Emblem, National Anthem and Capital", "Transitory Provisions" and "General Provisions".
According to the government roadmap announced in August 2003, the new constitution draft is to be endorsed through a national referendum, then a new general election will follow to produce parliament representatives and form a new democratic government.
