A little-known but critical clause: prohibits anyone whose spouse or children owe allegiance to a foreign power from becoming president. This clause was transparently drafted to bar Aung San Suu Kyi (whose late husband and sons are British) from the presidency. The NLD won a landslide in 2015 but could not install her as president; instead, the party created the role of “State Counsellor” for her—a position the military later used as a legal pretext for her 2021 ouster. IV. The Federal Dream vs. Unitary Reality Ethnic states—Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan—exist on paper. However, the constitution is unitary , not federal. Key powers (defense, foreign affairs, currency, natural resources, police) are reserved for the union government.
To its supporters (primarily the military establishment), it guarantees stability and a managed transition from half a century of direct military rule. To its critics (including the deposed National League for Democracy (NLD) and ethnic armed organizations), it is a carefully engineered legal framework designed to perpetuate military dominance. The events of February 1, 2021—when the military again seized power, citing the constitution’s emergency provisions—proved the latter’s point.
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The referendum on May 10, 2008 (with a second phase on May 24 in cyclone-hit areas) was the climax. struck on May 2. The junta proceeded with the vote despite international pleas to focus on disaster relief. In hard-hit towns like Bogale, reports emerged of soldiers forcing villagers to vote “Yes” in exchange for food aid. Official results claimed 98.12% approval, with a turnout of 98%. The United Nations and many Western governments called the exercise a sham.