The Irrawaddy News Magazine [Covering Burma and Southeast Asia]

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		BURMESE VERSION

Arakan State to Vote ‘No’: Irrawaddy Survey
By THE IRRAWADDY
Three-quarters of the people who have made up their minds how they will vote in the constitutional referendum in Arakan State say they will vote “No” to the junta-backed constitution.

UNLD Calls for Referendum Boycott
By SAW YAN NAING
The UNLD, a Rangoon-based umbrella organization of political parties representing ethnic minority peoples, is calling for a boycott of the polls on May 10.

Burma's Political Transition Needs People Power
By MIN ZIN
As the referendum on the junta's proposed constitution approaches, the political model of elite-driven transition loses relevance and the calls for public action become louder.

Than Shwe Urges Workers to Vote ‘Yes’
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Burma's junta chief urged workers on Thursday to approve the draft constitution in an upcoming referendum while the main opposition party implored them to reject it.

Pre-marked Ballots Issued in Burmese Referendum
By MIN LWIN
Advance voting for the referendum has begun in Myawaddy, amid allegations that some voters were issued ballots that had already been ticked “Yes” by polling station staff.

Most in Kachin State Lack Interest in Referendum: Survey
By THE IRRAWADDY
More than half of respondents to an Irrawaddy poll in Kachin State say they don’t know how, or if, they’ll vote in the upcoming constitutional referendum.

Ceasefire Groups Asked to Provide Referendum Security
By SAW YAN NAING and LAWI WENG
Several ethnic ceasefire groups have been asked by Burmese authorities to provide security during the referendum.

Vote ‘No’ Landslide, Based on Irrawaddy Random Survey
By THE IRRAWADDY
The Irrawaddy conducted a random telephone survey of 300 people to gauge Burmese citizens’ opinions on the May 10 constitutional referendum.

Overseas Burmese Protest Constitution
By SAW YAN NAING and THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thousands of Burmese people have been gathering outside Burmese embassies around the world to express dissatisfaction with the military government’s constitutional referendum.

Suu Kyi’s Party Launches Vote ‘No’ Tour
By WAI MOE
The NLD is taking its vote “No” campaign on the road to cities across Burma, even as the regime warns opposition groups not to campaign against the constitutional referendum.

Junta Using Threats to Win Referendum Vote, Says NLD
By WAI MOE
Burmese civil servants have been told they face the sack if they fail to vote in favor of the draft constitution in the May 10 referendum, the NLD has announced.

The Irrawaddy Surveys Sagaing on Referendum
By THE IRRAWADDY
Interviewing residents of Sagaing Division by telephone, The Irrawaddy asked 50 persons whether they would vote “Yes” or “No” in the forthcoming referendum.

Military Commanders Join Referendum “Vote Yes” Campaign
By SAW YAN NAING
Some Burmese military commanders have joined the government-sponsored campaign to persuade people to vote in favor of the draft constitution in next month’s referendum.

Burma Plans to Rig Constitution Referendum
By MARWAAN MACAN-MARKER / IPS WRITER / BANGKOK
Only the last 10 people to vote at each polling station will be entitled to monitor the counting of the ballots at the station, revealed a well-informed source close to the military.

Poll Shows Rangoon Residents Cool on Referendum
By THE IRRAWADDY
An opinion poll conducted by The Irrawaddy shows that residents of Burma’s biggest city are largely undecided or indifferent about a referendum that is less than three weeks away.

Junta’s Vote ‘Yes’ Media Blitz Appears to Backfire
By WAI MOE
A vote “Yes” campaign on government-controlled TV and newspapers in Burma has convinced many people to vote “No.”

Junta Begins ‘Vote Yes’ Campaign
By WAI MOE
The Burmese junta has initiated a “Vote Yes” campaign and is staging “referendum exhibitions” across the country.

Shan State Surveyed About Referendum
By THE IRRAWADDY
The Irrawaddy has conducted a cold call survey of 50 non-aligned persons in Shan State and asked them whether they would vote “Yes” or “No” in the referendum.

NLD Wants International Observers at May 10 Referendum
By WAI MOE
Burma’s National League for Democracy has called on the military government to drop its opposition to the attendance of international observers at the constitutional referendum, now set for May 10.

Irrawaddy Division Surveyed about Referendum
By THE IRRAWADDY
The Irrawaddy has conducted a cold call survey of 50 non-aligned persons in Irrawaddy Division and asked them whether they would vote “Yes” or “No” in the referendum.

Constitution for Sale
By WAI MOE
The Burmese junta has started to sell copies of the draft constitution to the public for the first time.

Burma’s NLD Calls for a Referendum 'No' Vote
By WAI MOE
Burma’s main opposition party has called on the electorate for the first time to cast a “No” vote in the constitutional referendum in May.

Burmese Electorate Still Waits to See Constitution Text
By THE IRRAWADDY
Just weeks before the planned May referendum on the proposed new constitution, the Burmese electorate has still not been issued with the text of the document.

Draft Constitution Surfaces, Stirring More Debate
By THE IRRAWADDY
Copies of the Burmese draft constitution surfaced last week, raising the level of debate on a “Vote Yes,” a “Vote No” or a referendum boycott.

USDA Holds Referendum 'Information' Sessions
By MIN LWIN
Special commissions, including members of the USDA, are touring Burma informing local residents about the upcoming constitutional referendum.

Than Shwe Promises Power Handover
By MIN LWIN
The head of Burma’s military junta marked the country’s Armed Forces day with renewed promises to hand over power after elections in 2010.

Burma’s Referendum—‘History is Repeating Itself’
By WAI MOE
The lack of official tolerance of dissidents and of openness gives rise to concern that the planned referendum will not be free and fair.

Exile Groups Oppose Referendum
By SAW YAN NAING
Seven leading Burmese opposition groups in exile are urging Burmese citizens to oppose the national referendum in May.

NLD Dismisses Referendum
By SAW YAN NAING
Burma’s leading opposition party has dismissed the national referendum on the draft constitution due in May, because of its lack of legitimacy.

Stiff Penalties for Resistance to Constitutional Referendum
By MIN LWIN
Burma's junta has enacted a new law threatening stiff punishment for anybody who disturbs the smooth procedure of the planned May referendum on a draft constitution.

Outcry for Fair Referendum, Elections
By SAW YAN NAING
Veteran Burmese politicians and ethnic groups speak out for a free and fair referendum on the constitution and general election.

Burmese Referendum: Here We Go Again...
By WAI MOE
With the referendum on the new Burmese constitution three months away, too many questions remain unanswered, say veteran observers.

COMMENTARY A ‘No’ Vote Means ‘Let’s Have a Dialogue’
By KYAW ZWA MOE
The Burmese people are likely to vote “No” in the May 10 constitutional referendum, creating a possibility—albeit slim—for talks.

COMMENTARY Constitutional Power in the Hands of Commander in Chief
By KYAW ZWA MOE
The debate surrounding the constitutional referendum is focusing on small gains that might come from passing a flawed document that grants the military dominant power.

CONTRIBUTOR Will Burmese Migrants be able to Vote?
By JACKIE POLLOCK
With almost no information available about how to vote in the Burmese referendum, what are the chances of voting?

COMMENTARY How Will You Vote: Coke, or Pepsi?
By KYAW ZWA MOE
No matter what voters choose in the May referendum, it isn’t going to be good for Burma.

CONTRIBUTOR Make the Most of the Junta’s “Democracy”
By ZAW MOE
The regime’s plan to hold a referendum and elections is not without its merits.

CONTRIBUTOR Just Say ‘No’ to Junta’s Constitution
By AUNG MOE ZAW
The Burmese people must turn the generals’ tactics against them and vote no to a charter designed to extend the military’s hold on power.

EDITORIAL One-sided Change is not Enough
By THE IRRAWADDY
The Burmese junta’s plan for a referendum and elections must not disguise a one-sided transition.

Voting on the Draft Constitution
Thursday, February 28, 2008

‘Vote No’ Demonstrations in World Capitals

COVER STORY
Constitutional Conundrum
As Burmese wonder what to make of the coming constitutional referendum, KYAW ZWA MOE examines their hopes and concerns.

A Rigged
Referendum

Volume 16 No.4
April, 2008