Myanmar Says Military-Backed Constitution Approved
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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