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 30 August 2008 08:22 BST

Burma constitution 'overwhelmingly backed'

Thursday, 15 May 2008 11:55
Burma is still reeling from Cyclone Nargis
A new constitution proposed by Burma's military rulers has been approved, the country's state-run media has reported.

An official statement claimed that there was a 99 per cent turnout for the ballot, with some 92.4 per cent voting in favour of the changes.

The ballot was held in two-thirds of Burma but postponed in other regions affected by Cyclone Nargis.

Burma's military leaders had faced considerable international criticism for holding the vote last weekend so soon after the storm hit low-lying areas of the country.

The Red Cross has said today that as many as 128,000 people may have been killed in the cyclone.

The country is still reeling from the after effects of the storm with international aid failing to be delivered to those suffering without food and water.

The new constitution reaffirms the junta's hold on power and removes opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, from office.

Daw Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for the majority of the last two decades after a landslide victory for her pro-democracy party in the 1990 general election.

Twenty-five per cent of both house of parliament are now guaranteed for the military also.

The areas affected by Cyclone Nargis are still expected to vote on the constitution on May 24th, the BBC reports.End of story


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