Myanmar parliament speaker, Suu Kyi agree to amend constitution

Both Myanmar parliament Speaker U Shwe Mann and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi agreed Wednesday on the need for amending the country's 2008 constitution.

They made the remarks at a joint press conference in Nay Pyi Taw following the end of the ninth parliament session.

U Shwe Mann, chairman of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), stressed that the constitution amendment should be done without affecting the unity, peace and national reconciliation, Xinuua reported.

Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and chairperson of the lower house's Committee for Rule of Law and Tranquility, emphasised that the move was necessary for rule of law and eternal peace.

Meanwhile, both USDP and NLD have disclosed that the parties would run in the upcoming by-elections for all 30 vacant constituencies for open parliamentary seats.

The by-elections are expected to be held before the end of this year.

Myanmar last held its general elections Nov 7, 2010, when the USDP won the majority votes with its chairman U Thein Sein elected as the country's president to lead the civilian government after five decades of military rule.

On April 1, 2012, by-elections were held, in which the NLD won 43 out of 45 then open parliamentary seats with its chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi occupying a seat of the House of Representatives or the lower house.