Myanmar: No Constitutional Change Before 2015 Election

By George Grow

20 November, 2014

The speaker of parliament in Myanmar says the country's constitution cannot be changed before elections a year from now. Shwe Mann spoke this week to reporters in Naypyidaw -- the capital of Myanmar, also known as Burma. He said voters will be able to take part in a referendum, or special election, on constitutional changes in May. But he said it would be impossible for any changes to take effect immediately.

He says, "Some draft laws will need a referendum. We need the people to vote on them. This will be held next May, in 2015. The results of this referendum will have to be approved by both the upper and lower houses of parliament. But the parliament will meet only after the 2015 elections."

He did not explain why changes must wait until the next parliament is seated.

Aung Kyi Nyunt serves in the current parliament. He belongs to the National League for Democracy, the party of Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. He says that delaying the changes would be a mistake.

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (C) looks on as U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands after a roundtable with members of parliament in Naypyitaw November 13, 2014.

He says "This will have an effect not only on the peace deal discussions, but also on other discussions related to stability issues. It will also affect issues related to the international community."

Myanmar's constitution bars Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president. It is unlawful for any president to have a husband, wife or children who are citizens of a foreign nation. The former husband of Aung San Suu Kyi was a citizen of the United Kingdom. Her sons are British.

I'm Caty Weaver.

*This report was based on a story from reporter Moe Saw in Yangon. George Grow wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

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Words in This Story

constitution – n. the written general laws and ideas that form a nation's system of government

elections – n. voting

parliament - n. a government lawmaking group

bars - v. to prevent or block

Now it's your turn to use these Words in this Story. In the comments section, write a sentence using one of these words and we will provide feedback on your use of vocabulary and grammar.

Myanmar: No Constitutional Change Before 2015 Election
缅甸在2015年大选过后才会修改宪法
The speaker of parliament in Myanmar says the country’s constitution cannot be changed before elections a year from now. Shwe Mann spoke this week to reporters in Naypyidaw -- the capital of Myanmar, also known as Burma. He said voters will be able to take part in a referendum, or special election, on constitutional changes in May. But he said it would be impossible for any changes to take effect immediately.
缅甸议会发言人说从现在起到选举之前的一年里，宪法不会改变。下议院议长瑞曼这周在缅甸的首都内比都对记者说道。他说选民将能够参与到全民投票中，特别是选举，五月宪法的修改。但是他说几乎不可能有任何变化立刻生效。
He says, “Some draft laws will need a referendum. We need the people to vote on them. This will be held next May, in 2015. The results of this referendum will have to be approved by both the upper and lower houses of parliament. But the parliament will meet only after the 2015 elections.”
他说：“一些法律草案需要全民公投，我们需要选民进行投票，这将会在2015年的五月举行。这次公投结果需要得到上议院和下议院的同意。但是只有2015年大选之后议会才会确定。”
He did not explain why changes must wait until the next parliament is seated.
他没有解释为什么非得等下一届议会席位确定后才会有所变化。
Aung Kyi Nyunt serves in the current parliament. He belongs to the National League for Democracy, the party of Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. He says that delaying the changes would be a mistake.
Aung Kyi Nyunt是现任的议员，他是全国民主联盟的一员、该政党有诺贝奖获得者Aung San Suu Kyi。他说延期做出改变会是个错误的决定。
He says “This will have an effect not only on the peace deal discussions, but also on other discussions related to stability issues. It will also affect issues related to the international community.”
他表示：“这种决定不仅影响到和平协议的讨论议程，还会影响其它有关稳定问题的讨论，也会影响到国际社会问题的处理。”
Myanmar’s constitution bars Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president. It is unlawful for any president to have a husband, wife or children who are citizens of a foreign nation. The former husband of Aung San Suu Kyi was a citizen of the United Kingdom. Her sons are British.
缅甸的宪法不允许昂山素季成为国家总统。任何一个总统的丈夫、妻子或者孩子是外国国籍都是不合法的。她前任丈夫是英国公民，她的儿子是英国人。
I’m Caty Weaver.
我是凯蒂·威弗尔。