The MIC has approved 49 amendments to the party's constitution in strengthening and restoring the glory of the 71-year-old party, said Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

The MIC president said among the amendments was Article 58.8 that every leader who wanted to contest the MIC president's post needed to get nominations from 250 branch heads as compared to 50 nominations previously.

Another amendment prescribes the president can only lead the party for three terms as compared to the current no-term limit.

"All the 4,000 MIC members including the 1,500 delegates have unanimously agreed to the amendments before they are submitted to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) for approval. Currently, the MIC needs to make some corrections before sending it to the RoS.

"The amendments approved yesterday will be adopted for next year's party elections which are expected to be held after the 14th General Election," he said at a press conference after the opening of the 71st MIC General Assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, officiated the MIC general assembly.

According to Dr Subramaniam, the amendments are among MIC's efforts to create a democratic process within the party so that it remains relevant to the Indian community, as well as reinforcing and reactivating the role of MIC branches which have been less active.

In the meantime, the constitutional amendments were welcomed by MIC treasurer-general Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari who described the amendments as an attempt to bring the party towards a better direction in the current political environment.

"All this while, only the heads of MIC divisions and branches could vote for the party's top leadership. Now, the constitutional amendments provide opportunities for grassroots, especially Putera, Puteri, Wanita and Pemuda at the branch levels to elect the president and the party's highest posts during the election.

"This is also a party effort to empower the younger generation in the party," he said.

Vice-president Datuk T. Mohan said the constitutional amendments would make MIC function as a more active force, thus ensuring a bright future.

Meanwhile, Wanita chief Datuk Mohana Muniandy said the amendments gave more space to women to engage in important matters of the party.-- BERNAMA