Nominees for Myanmar’s new president to be known on March 17

A deadline for nominations to be cast for Myanmar’s next president has been set for March 17, it was reported Monday, amid speculation over whether Aung San Suu Kyi will assume the role.

The lower and upper houses of parliament will have until the March 17 deadline to submit their votes, from which point parliamentary committees will start discussing the nominees, the Myanmar Times reported.

The new president is scheduled to take office on April 1 after President Thein Sein’s term officially ends on March 31.

Suu Kyi is barred by the constitution from becoming president because her two children are British citizens.

Speculation has been rife that the constitution could be amended to allow the National League for Democracy (NLD) party leader to take the role.

However, the Myanmar Times report noted that this would require the consent of the military bloc in parliament, and there has been ‘no sign’ that commanderinchief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is in agreement.

News of the deadline was announced as the first session of Myanmar’s Mandalay division parliament got underway, presided over by newlyelected chairman, the NLD’s Aung Kyaw Oo.

The Irrawaddy magazine reported Monday that the NLD will deduct 25 percent of its lawmakers’ salaries for party funds.