Pyithu Hluttaw

The Pyithu Hluttaw, officially known as the House of Representatives, is the lower house of the national legislature of Myanmar (Burma). It forms one of the two chambers of the Assembly of the Union (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw), the other being the Amyotha Hluttaw or House of Nationalities. The Pyithu Hluttaw plays a central role in Myanmar’s parliamentary system, representing the country’s administrative districts and exercising legislative authority at the national level.

Historical Background

The term “Hluttaw” originates from the Burmese royal courts, where it referred to the King’s Council or administrative body responsible for governance, justice, and military affairs during the Konbaung Dynasty. After the end of monarchic rule and the subsequent British colonisation of Burma in the 19th century, the term was revived during the country’s post-independence political evolution.
The first Pyithu Hluttaw was established under the 1974 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, serving as the unicameral legislative body during the one-party rule of the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) led by General Ne Win. This version of the Pyithu Hluttaw was dissolved following the 1988 pro-democracy uprisings and the military takeover by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC).
A new bicameral parliamentary system was later created under the 2008 Constitution, adopted during military rule, which introduced the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw as the Union Parliament, composed of the Pyithu Hluttaw (lower house) and the Amyotha Hluttaw (upper house). The reconstituted Pyithu Hluttaw was first convened in January 2011, following the 2010 general elections.

Structure and Composition

The Pyithu Hluttaw is composed of 440 members. Its structure reflects both democratic representation and the entrenched role of the military in Myanmar’s political system:

• 330 members are elected directly by citizens from single-member constituencies, each representing one township.
• 110 members (25%) are appointed by the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, representing the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces).

This arrangement ensures that the military retains a constitutionally guaranteed share of parliamentary power, limiting the ability of civilian representatives to legislate independently.
Members serve a five-year term, and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw are elected by the house from among its members. The lower house meets at the Hluttaw Complex in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar.

Legislative Powers and Functions

The Pyithu Hluttaw holds significant responsibilities within Myanmar’s parliamentary framework. Its principal functions include:

• Legislation: Drafting, debating, and passing laws applicable across the Union.
• Budgetary control: Examining and approving the national budget and taxation policies.
• Oversight: Scrutinising the activities of the executive branch through questions, committees, and motions.
• Representation: Articulating the interests and needs of citizens from the township level within the national legislature.
• Appointment powers: Participating in the selection of the President of Myanmar through an electoral college composed of representatives from both houses and the military bloc.

The Pyithu Hluttaw can propose bills on most subjects within the Union list, although legislation affecting state or regional competencies requires coordination with the Amyotha Hluttaw.

Elections and Political Dynamics

The Pyithu Hluttaw elections have been central to Myanmar’s shifting political landscape. The 2010 general elections, boycotted by the National League for Democracy (NLD), resulted in a victory for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), a military-backed political organisation.
In the 2015 elections, however, the NLD led by Aung San Suu Kyi achieved a landslide victory, winning the majority of the elected seats in both the Pyithu Hluttaw and the Amyotha Hluttaw. This outcome allowed the NLD to form a civilian government, though the military continued to wield considerable influence through its constitutionally reserved seats and control of key ministries.
The 2020 general elections reaffirmed the NLD’s dominance, but the results were later nullified by the military coup of February 2021, during which the Tatmadaw detained civilian leaders, dissolved the parliament, and declared a state of emergency.

Role under Military Rule

Following the 2021 military coup, the functioning of the Pyithu Hluttaw was effectively suspended. Many of its elected members were arrested, while others fled or went into hiding. In response, several ousted lawmakers formed the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), which claimed legitimacy as the lawful parliamentary body and supported the establishment of the National Unity Government (NUG) opposing military rule.
The military authorities, meanwhile, created the State Administration Council (SAC), assuming both executive and legislative powers. As a result, the Pyithu Hluttaw currently exists in name only, with its constitutional role and democratic legitimacy undermined by authoritarian control.

Administrative Organisation and Committees

Under normal constitutional functioning, the Pyithu Hluttaw operates through a system of standing committees and special committees responsible for specific policy areas, including:

• Public Accounts
• Bill Scrutiny
• International Relations
• Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
• Transport and Communications
• Education and Health

These committees play a crucial role in drafting legislation, reviewing government performance, and conducting parliamentary inquiries.

Political and Constitutional Significance

The Pyithu Hluttaw represents a vital component of Myanmar’s constitutional framework, reflecting the country’s complex political transition from military to quasi-civilian rule and, later, its regression under renewed military dominance.
Its existence symbolises the aspiration for parliamentary democracy, while its partial militarisation illustrates the enduring influence of the armed forces in governance. The Pyithu Hluttaw also serves as an institutional reference point for international advocacy concerning democratic restoration in Myanmar.