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| Amyotha Hluttaw | |
|---|---|
| Name | Amyotha Hluttaw |
| Native name | အမျိုးသားလွှတ်တော် |
| Legislature | Pyidaungsu Hluttaw |
| House type | Upper house |
| Established | 2011 |
| Leader1 type | Speaker |
| Leader1 | Thura Shwe Mann |
| Members | 224 |
| Voting system | Mixed plurality and military appointment |
| Last election | 2015 |
| Meeting place | Naypyidaw |
Amyotha Hluttaw The Amyotha Hluttaw is the upper chamber of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, constituted under the Constitution of Myanmar (2008). It functions alongside the Pyithu Hluttaw to enact laws affecting the Union of Myanmar, representing the States and Regions of Myanmar with seats allocated by territorial division. The body convenes in Naypyidaw and has been central to legislative developments involving organizations such as the Union Election Commission and events including the 2015 Myanmar general election and the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.
The chamber comprises 224 members drawn from constituencies across the Ayeyarwady Region, Bago Region, Kachin State, Kayah State, Kayin State, Magway Region, Mandalay Region, Mon State, Rakhine State, Sagaing Region, Shan State, Tanintharyi Region, Yangon Region and Chin State, alongside nominated personnel from the Tatmadaw. Its mandate is defined by the Constitution of Myanmar (2008), delineating lawmaking, oversight, and representation functions that intersect with institutions such as the President of Myanmar, the Union Parliament, and the State and Region Hluttaws. Major political parties represented include the National League for Democracy (Myanmar), the Union Solidarity and Development Party, and ethnic parties like the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy.
The chamber traces origin to parliamentary arrangements during the Union Parliament of Burma (1947–1962) and the reconstitution under the 2008 constitutional referendum in Myanmar. After years of military rule under leaders like Ne Win and institutions such as the Tatmadaw, the 2010 general election established the modern bicameral legislature, with the chamber first convening in 2011 alongside the Pyithu Hluttaw. Subsequent milestones include legislative sessions during the 2012 by-elections in Myanmar, the pivotal 2015 Myanmar general election, and the interruption of legislative functions following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état led by the State Administration Council.
Members are elected from multi-seat constituencies corresponding to States of Myanmar and Regions of Myanmar, with four military appointees per state or region designated by senior officers of the Tatmadaw as provided in the Constitution of Myanmar (2008). Elections are organized by the Union Election Commission using plurality voting in designated constituencies, a system applied during contests involving parties such as the National League for Democracy (Myanmar), the Union Solidarity and Development Party, the Arakan National Party, and the Patriotic Party for Rakhine State. The chamber’s composition reflects representation of ethnic minorities via caucuses formed by delegations from areas like Kachin State, Shan State, and Rakhine State.
Under the Constitution of Myanmar (2008), the chamber shares legislative authority with the Pyithu Hluttaw in the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, including passage of bills, budgetary review, and ratification of treaties presented by the President of Myanmar. It holds roles in confirmation processes affecting posts linked to the Union Judiciary and oversight of executive actions by bodies such as the Cabinet of Myanmar and offices connected to the Ministry of Defence (Myanmar). The chamber participates in constitutional amendment procedures and in joint sessions addressing national security and federal questions that engage stakeholders like the Ethnic Armed Organizations and representatives from the High Court.
Leadership roles include a Speaker and Deputy Speaker elected from among members, with offices situated in the parliamentary complex in Naypyidaw. The chamber’s procedural rules align with provisions in the Constitution of Myanmar (2008) and standing orders that regulate plenary sittings, question time, and motion procedures used by parties including the National League for Democracy (Myanmar), the Union Solidarity and Development Party, and various ethnic party delegations. Administrative support comes from the secretariat that interacts with agencies like the Union Election Commission and the Office of the President of Myanmar.
A system of permanent and ad hoc committees addresses subject areas such as legislation, finance, ethnic affairs, and constitutional matters, often coordinating with counterpart panels in the Pyithu Hluttaw. Committees have been chaired by members from different parties and regions, and have handled inquiries involving ministries such as the Ministry of Home Affairs (Myanmar), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Myanmar), and the Ministry of Planning and Finance (Myanmar). Committee reports have informed national debates around laws concerning resource management in areas like the Ayeyarwady Region and security issues in Rakhine State.
The chamber has been criticized for the quota of military appointees enshrined in the Constitution of Myanmar (2008), a point contested by parties including the National League for Democracy (Myanmar) and civil society groups such as Generation Wave and 88 Generation Student Youths. Concerns have been raised over legislative autonomy during periods dominated by figures like Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and institutions such as the Tatmadaw, especially following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état and its impact on the Union Parliament. Debates persist over reforms proposed in forums involving the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee and international reactions from actors including the United Nations and neighboring states like Thailand and India.