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 30 August 2008 15:26 BST

Burmese vote in election amid international criticism

Saturday, 10 May 2008 15:27
Elections go ahead in Burma despite calls for postponement
Burma once again flew in the face of controversy today, holding elections despite the devastating consequences of a cyclone that hit the country last week.

Ignoring calls from the outside world for a postponement, the government decided to continue with the ballot to approve a new constitution.

Some estimates put the death toll of Cyclone Nargis at around 100,000, far exceeding the claims by Burmese officials that 22,000 have been killed by the storm.

Aid agencies are currently facing difficulties trying to deliver support to the country, where up to 1.5 million people are in need of urgent relief.

The World Food Programme has said that tonnes of aid flown into the country has been impounded by the military authorities, although the UN has announced that it will continue to deliver supplies to Burma today.

And voting, which is currently under-way, has been delayed in the areas worst-hit by the storm, including the capital Rangoon.

Citizens have been told by state-run television that it is their "patriotic duty" to vote and the BBC reported the cynicism of many nationals about the result.

U Kyaing, aged 57, told Reuters: "I voted yes. It was what I was asked to do."

Aid agencies are warning that a second disaster could ensue if supplies are not delivered to Burma quickly, with the high risk of the spreading of diseases including diarrhoea and malaria.
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