SLORC RESTRICTIONS ON DELEGATES TO
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
The following are translated excerpts from the
booklet "Discipline, Rules and Regulations for the National
Convention", distributed by the SLORC to all delegates to the current
National Convention.
Chapter
1 - Aims of the National Convention
In
drafting a sustainable and strong Constitution for the State, all discussions
should be based on and fall within the framework of the following Aims:
a) To
prevent disintegration of the
b) To
sustain ethnic unity
c) To
protect national sovereignty
d) To
develop a genuine multi-party system
e) To
promote and develop freedom, equality and Lokapala
Dharma
f) To
establish a participatory and leadership role for the Armed forces in the future
national politics of
Chapter
2 - Duties and responsibilities of the Chairmen and Representatives to the
National Convention
Representatives
to attend the National Convention:
By
prescription of the National Convention Council, the following are entitled to
attend the National Convention meetings:
a)
Representatives from political parties
b)
Elected Representatives from the last general election
c)
Representatives of the ethnic minorities
d)
Representatives of the peasants and cultivators
e)
Representatives of the workers
f)
Representatives of the intellectuals and technicians
g)
Representatives of the civil servants
h) Other
elite representatives as invited
Duties
and responsibilities of representatives
a) All
existing State laws, orders and directives must be obeyed by the
representatives.
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f) The
confidentiality of the National Convention must be maintained.
g) All
duties and responsibilities given to representatives by the Chairmen should be
fulfilled completely.
Duties
and responsibilities of Chairmen
d) If a
National Convention representative's behaviour is not according to the
discipline and regulations of the National Convention, the Chairman concerned
will give him warning. If he does not
heed the warning the Chairman should expel him from the meeting, and if
necessary consider further action. The
Chairman concerned should put the case before the council of chairmen.
Selection
of Chairmen
The
following committee will select the group chairmen:
a)
National Convention coordinating committee 5 members
b)
Elected representatives and political party reps 10
members
c)
Ethnic minority representatives 5
members
d)
Peasants' and cultivators' Representatives 5
members
e)
Workers' Representatives 5
members
f) Civil
servants' Representatives 5
members
g)
Intellectuals' and Technicians' Representatives 5 members
h) Other
elite representatives 5
members
Chapter
3 - Meeting Places and Times
Fifty
percent attendance is sufficient for each meeting to be declared a legal one.
Chapter
4 - Rules for Discussion
(Section
24)
a)
Representatives must not use any words that may damage loyalty to the State.
b)
Representatives must not use any words which contribute to subversion of the
c)
Nothing should be said or discussed which is in the interests of people or
organisations which are not within the law.
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(Section
29)
b)
Representatives must submit a written account of their planned discussions to
their respective Chairman.
c)
Subjects for the agenda within each group can be discussed within that group.
d) No
subject which has not been agreed upon within a group can be presented to the
National Convention.
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j) A
representative to the National Convention should read only his written
discussions which have been sent in advance to the group Chairman for
approval. He should not discuss andy
matter which has not been included in his paper. Should he do so, his discussion will not be
recorded.
(Page
26)
k)
Walkouts, individually or in groups, and any other shows of protest, are not
allowed.
Chapter
5 - Prohibitions
a) To
lobby or influence other representatives is prohibited.
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c) No
one should disturb either the representatives or the security guards in
exercising their duties.
d)
Wearing badges of any kind or trying to distribute leaflets or propaganda of
any kind are prohibited.
e) No
paper or leaflets of any sort which have not been approved by the National
Convention working committee are allowed to be brought in to either lodging or
meeting places.
f)
Subjects listed as confidential at the National Convention must not be revealed
or taken outside in any form.
Chapter
6 - Suspension of National Convention representatives
All
laws, orders and directives of the State and of the National Convention must be
upheld. Any representative failing to do
so shall be suspended from the meeting.
If a
representative fails to attend a meeting for two consecutive days, the
Committee will decide whether he should be ousted from the meeting.