YANGON: Democracy activists in Myanmar joined opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Saturday in calling for constitutional amendments ahead of next year’s general elections.

Thousands of party supporters and leaders of prominent student activist groups, including the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society, turned out at the rally in the main city of Yangon. Suu Kyi said that the current constitution needs to be amended to meet democratic norms and for elections to be free and fair.

Currently, the law says that the charter cannot be changed without more than 75 percent approval from the Parliament. With the military holding 25 seats, they can veto any such move and prevent Suu Kyi from becoming president because her sons are British nationals.

An article in the constitution says anyone whose spouse or children owes allegiance to a foreign power cannot become president or vice president.