Myanmar’s ruling party NLD (National League for Democracy) will compete for all vacant parliamentary seats in upcoming by-elections to be held in April 2017, according to party secretary Nyan Win on October 26. There are a total of 19 unoccupied representative seats, some of which were left as members of the parliament were appointed to government positions. The provisions of the 2008 Myanmar constitution require the parliamentarians to renounce the legislative positions if they are assigned with government offices.
Candidates are to compete for nine vacant seats at Pyithu Hluttaw (the House of Representatives – Lower House), three at Amyotha Hluttaw (the House of Nationalities – Upper House) and seven at Region and State legislatures in the April by-elections. NLD won 43 of the 44 seats they contested (out of 45 available) in 2012 by-elections held under the previous government. Campaign period is scheduled for January 30 to March 30, 2017.
