Htin Kyaw sworn in as 1st elected President of Myanmar

Htin Kyaw (69) sworn in as the 1st elected civilian (non-military) President of Myanmar after 53 years of military rule. Myanmar’s Army was in power since 1962 coup. He belongs to National League for Democracy (NLD) Party and succeeds Thein Sein, who had stepped down after end of 5 years of army backed rule. Apart from him, Military backed Myint Swe and NLD member Henry Van Thio were sworn in as 1st vice-president or 2nd vice-president of the country along 18 Cabinet ministers. Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi who is the leader of NLD party that has majority in the Parliament was sworn in as foreign affairs Minister. She also is Minister of President’s office, education, and energy and electric power. Htin Kyaw is a close aide and adviser of Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. He was as the 1st civilian President of the country by the Myanmar’s Parliament on 15th March 2016. Even though NLD is having majority in Parliament, Aung San Suu Kyi was not able to become President as the military drafted 2008 constitution of country bars citizen having children of another country nationality. Her children hold British passports.

0

Shares

Htin Kyaw sworn in as 1st elected President of Myanmar

Htin Kyaw elected as the 1st civilian President of Myanmar

Myanmar’s Parliament elected Htin Kyaw (69) as 1st civilian (non-military) President of the country after 53 years of military rule. Htin kyaw was the candidate of National League for Democracy (NLD) party and was elected after securing 360 of the total 652 casted votes. Military-nominated Myint Swe received 213 votes and stood 2nd and was followed by the other NLD candidate, Henry Van Thio at 3rd position who got 79 votes. They will serve as 1st vice-president and 2nd vice-president of the country.
About Htin Kyaw:

• Htin Kyaw is a close aide & adviser of Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi who is the leader of NLD party that has majority in the parliament.


• He will replace Thein Sein as President who will step down at the end of March 2016 i.e. after end of 5 years of army-backed rule.


• Htin was born on 20 July 1946 and his father was a legendary writer and early member of the NLD.


• In a varied career, he had worked as a university teacher and also held positions in the Myanmar’s Ministry of Industry in the late 1970s & 1980s .


• Presidential Election Process As per Myanmar’s constitution adopted in 2008, President is elected under a complex system in which the 2 chambers of parliament nominate 2 presidential candidates and military MPs nominated a 3rd candidate, assuring the army continued influence.


• The army also retains 25 percent of seats in parliament under the constitution giving it an effective veto on constitutional change. It also keeps key ministerial portfolios related to security.

Background:

• In November 2015 general elections, NLD had swept historic victory with a high majority in both houses of parliament.


• However, leader of NLD Aung San Suu Kyi was barred from running for post of President because a clause in the 2008 constitution that says anyone whose children having nationality of another country cannot become a president. Her children hold British passports.

0

Shares

Htin Kyaw elected as the 1st civilian President of Myanmar