Hundreds gathered in central Burma’s Mandalay on Sunday demanding abolition of Article-59(f) of the 2008 Constitution, which bars opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency.

Mandalay journalist Min Htet Nyein Chan said the rally, organised by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), was staged in Chanmyay Tharzan Township with official permission by local police.

“The main objective of the protest is charter amendment; abolish Article 59(f) of the Constitution, as well as Article 18 [of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law],” said Htet Nyein Chan, adding that the initial proposal would have also included a march, but permission was denied.

“The demonstration was attended by the National League for Democracy as well as the public, including children and elderly holding placards and chanting slogans calling to immediately facilitate a quadripartite meeting.”

While similar demonstrations have occurred across the country, this was the first protest of its kind in Mandalay.

The NLD released a joint statement on Monday with the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society reiterating their position and asserting their commitment to work together towards the common goal of achieving a more democratic charter and political body, reading, “we will be working together to bring about Constitutional reforms via peace and fair means, while keeping our eyes on the national reconciliation process, for development of a genuine democratic union.”

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