Reply #34: Myanmar says constitution gets OK in criticized election [View All]

Myanmar says constitution gets OK in criticized election

ASSOCIATED PRESS • May 15, 2008


YANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar announced today that a constitution critics say will cement nearly four decades of military rule was overwhelmingly approved in a referendum held while the country reeled from a devastating cyclone.
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The document was approved by 92.4% of the 22 million eligible voters last Saturday, said Aung Toe, head of the Referendum Holding Committee on state radio. He put voter turnout at more than 99% in areas that went to the polls.

Human rights organizations and anti-government groups have bitterly criticized the government for going ahead with the vote, accusing it of neglecting cyclone victims to advance its political agenda.

Following the balloting, local journalists said they saw cases of intimidation of voters at various polling stations around the country.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/NEWS07/80515012