‘No’ vote urged against junta

AUNG SAN SUU KYI’S National League for Democracy party yesterday called on voters to reject the ruling junta’s proposed constitution in a referendum next month.

The party issued a statement urging the public “to clearly and bravely vote ‘no’ when you mark your ballots”.

“The draft constitution was done one-sidedly by people chosen by the State Peace and Development Council,” it said, referring to the junta.

The proposed constitution would give the military continued dominance over the government even after elections, while Aung San Suu Kyi would be barred from running for president.

“It cannot give any guarantee for democracy and human rights, which are strongly needed by the people,” the party said. “It is not in accord with the basic democratic principle that the sovereign power of the state is derived from the people.”

The party also issued a one-page guide explaining how voters will physically cast their ballots.

The referendum in May will be the first balloting in Burma since 1990, when the NLD won a landslide victory that was never recognised by the junta, and is designed to pave the way for elections.