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Posted: 2:32 PM May 15, 2008
Myanmar Says Military-Backed Constitution Approved
Myanmar has announced that a military-backed constitution was overwhelmingly approved by voters in last week's referendum. Reporter: Associated Press Email Address: news@nbc11news.com |
A Myanmar woman visits her cyclone-damaged home on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar on Thursday, May 15, 2008. The Red Cross estimated that the cyclone death toll in Myanmar could be as high as 128,000, a much higher figure than a tally by the government, which continued to issue few visas to foreign aid experts, and all but shut them out of the hardest-hit area. (AP Photo)
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Yangon, Myanmar (AP) Myanmar has announced that a military-backed constitution was overwhelmingly approved by voters in last week's referendum.
State radio says the draft constitution was approved by over 92 percent of the 22 million eligible voters. It puts turnout at more than 99 percent. Critics say the measure is designed to solidify the military's rule.
The military rulers postponed voting in regions battered by a deadly cyclone but the results of the late balloting can't affect the outcome.
The document guarantees 25 percent of parliamentary seats to the military and allows the president to hand over all power to the armed forces in a state of emergency. Critics say those elements contradict the junta's professed commitment to democracy.
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