Asia-Pacific
Myanmar unveils new national flag
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-22 09:10
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YANGON - Myanmar started to use new state flag Thursday afternoon prescribed in the new state constitution, according to an announcement of the State Peace and Development Council aired by the state radio and television.
| The new state flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is hoisted at the mast at the City Hall of Yangon, former capital and commercial city of Myanmar, Oct 21, 2010. [Photo/Agencies] |
The council enacted some laws concerning state flag, state seal and national anthem in accordance with the new state constitution.
The state flag, state seal and national anthem had been prescribed in the new state constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar approved through a national referendum in May 2008.
The concerned laws were promulgated by the council as a preparatory work to bring the constitution into operation before the parliamentary election set for Nov 7, the announcement said.
With a white star within, the new Myanmar state flag appears with three columns of color - yellow, green and red, while the state seal appears with a star on top and the country map in the center surrounded with two ears of paddy and two lions respectively resting on each side.
The national anthem is the same as the old introduced since the country regained independence in 1948.
According to the transitory provisions of the 2008 constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the constitution shall come into operation throughout the union from the day the first session of the Union Parliament is convened.
"The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) shall continue to exercise state sovereignty before this constitution comes into operation," one of the provisions state.
"The preparatory work done by the SPDC before this constitution comes into operation to bring the constitution into operation, shall be deemed to have been carried out in accord with this constitution," the provision added.
According to the new constitution, the country adopts an executive system of President as head of state who is produced through parliamentary election.
The president is also chief of national defense and security commission in which commander-in-chief of the defense services is a member.
The constitution also designates that the Union parliament comprises the house of representatives and the house of nationalities. The legislative power is shared by union parliament, region parliament and state parliament.
As part of election preparatory process, the commission is allowing the use of state-operated Myanmar Radio and Television ( MRTV) for contesting political parties for canvassing for votes with speech until Oct 31.
Of the parliamentary candidates, 82 are independent ones, according to the Union Election Commission.
There are about 1,000 parliamentary seats including those for house of representatives and house of nationalities which constitute the union parliament, and region or state parliament.
As there is only single candidate each competing in 54 constituencies, these 54 candidates are to be announced as legal representative to the parliament from the constituencies, according to the election law.
The Myanmar government announced a seven-step roadmap in August 2003 which mainly include the reconvening of national convention, drafting of new state constitution, holding of national referendum on drafted constitution, sponsoring general election and formation of a new "civilian" government.