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Myanmar holds referendum

SINGAPORE: Myanmar’s ruling junta on Saturday held a rare referendum, amid allegations of fraudulent practices to secure a popular mandate for a new military-scripted draft constitution. Voting took place in over 280 townships and other territorial units; while 47 other designated areas, still reeling under the after-effects of a devastating cyclone, will vote on May 24.

The junta, which rejected calls by the opposition National League for Democracy and foreign aid agencies for a postponement of the referendum on account of the havoc wrought by the cyclone, did not release any figures of voter turnout immediately after balloting ended.

NLD spokesman U Nyan Win, describing the referendum as “a very ugly event,” estimated that about 50 per cent of registered voters had turned up. He said the cases of pressure from the military authorities for a ‘yes’ vote were rampant. The NLD had given a call for a ‘no’ vote. The draft document was designed to institutionalise a praetorian system of government.

NLD sources in Yangon cited one of several methods of alleged pressure by the junta. Several days before the referendum, local authorities “collected” the identity cards of many voters, who were then told that these would be returned only if they voted ‘yes’.

Noting that there were no indications of any physical violence during the referendum, the sources said no free agents of the opposition camp were allowed at the booths.

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