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| Burma 'approves new constitution' | Burma 'approves new constitution' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A new constitution proposed by Burma's military rulers has been overwhelmingly approved in a referendum, according to the country's state-run media. | |
| Some 92.4% voted yes to the changes - with a reported turnout of 99%. | |
| The ballot was held in two-thirds of the country but was postponed in areas hit by Cyclone Nargis. | |
| The constitution enshrines the junta's hold on power and excludes the main opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, from office. | The constitution enshrines the junta's hold on power and excludes the main opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, from office. |
| Under its terms, 25% of seats in both houses of parliament would be guaranteed for the military - making it impossible to alter the constitution without their backing. | |
| A statement from Aung Toe, head of the committee that organised the vote, was read out on state TV saying 99% of the 22.5 million eligible voters had turned out. | |
| The junta's decision to go ahead with the referendum while tens of thousands of people remained in danger of disease and starvation after Cyclone Nargis drew widespread criticism. | |
| The areas affected by the cyclone are still expected to vote on 24 May. |