Regime hails ‘massive turnout’ as vote goes ahead

BURMA’S ruling generals said yesterday there was a “massive turnout” in their national referendum, held despite pleas to devote their resources to saving more than a million cyclone victims.

Even as aid groups warned the official toll of 60,000 dead or missing could rise unless survivors get help immediately, the regime went ahead with Saturday’s vote to ratify a new constitution.

The referendum sought public approval of a constitution, which the junta says will be followed in 2010 by a general election. Both votes are elements of what the junta calls its “roadmap to democracy”.