Introduction: "In recent years, Myanmar has gone through historic changes in its political, institutional and social organisation and the country has made important steps in its transition towards democratic governance. A new Constitution was adopted in May 2008 and the fir st general elections under the new Constitution (2008) were held in November 2010, followed by by-elections in April 2012. After decades of authoritarian rule, the new Constitution pr ovided for a transfer of government authority from the military to elected, civilian structures and enunciates principles of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. In addition, the Constitution in troduced the separation of powers between the executive branch, the legislature and the judiciary, as well as between different tiers of government: the Union tier; the States and Regions tier, with the capital city forming a separate Union territory, and a number of Self-Administered units enjoying local autonomy in certain areas. However, a tier of local government was not introduced by the new Constitution.1..."