Burmese Constitutional Referendum, 2008
A constitutional referendum was held in Burma (also known as Myanmar) on 10 May 2008 (24 May 2008 in some townships) according to an announcement by the State Peace and Development Council in February 2008. According to the military government, the new Constitution of Burma will ensure the creation of a "discipline-flourishing democracy". Multi-party elections are to follow in 2010.
The constitutional referendum law was enacted and a referendum commission was set up on 26 February 2008. Reportedly, the law ensures the secret casting of votes and requires a public count of the ballots to prove it is fair.
The draft constitution was published and the date of the referendum finally announced on 9 April 2008. Among the changes that the referendum seeks to make are:
- One quarter of all parliamentary seats would be reserved for military officers.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs would fall exclusively under military control.
- Anyone married to a non-Burmese would be barred from running for the office of president. Many international media reports suggest that this provision would have the effect of making opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi ineligible for the presidency, although her British husband died in 1999.
Read more about Burmese Constitutional Referendum, 2008: Campaign, Criticism, Voting, Results