The Burmese military junta has garnered 100 per cent advance 'Yes' votes on the constitutional referendum from the Naga Mountains in the northwest of the country in the last week, sources in Naga villages said.

The two vote commissions of the junta compiled advance votes in the Naga villages in Patkai Range in Sagaing Division bordering India's Arunachal Pradesh and the areas between Tarung Hka (Tarung River) in Hukawng Valley of Kachin State and the Ledo Road, local Nagas said.

All Nagas in the areas including farmers voted and some of the known villages are Lauklai, Phayung, Nalung, Htawa Thit and villages around Pangsau Pass, said Nagas from these areas.

According to the Nagas, the vote commission teams did not bother to explain about the referendum on the draft constitution. The voters were just forced to tick the 'right mark' on the ballot paper.

Moreover, they did not have any knowledge of the junta's referendum process on the new constitution.  Neither were they imparted any referendum related awareness programme by inside or outside volunteers, the locals added.

A majority of the Nagas in the areas work for the ruling junta such as in the army, in schools and other government departments.

On the Burma side, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) led by SS Khaplang were also unable to advocate to Nagas in these areas to reject the referendum because the Naga villages are far apart and stand isolated.

Burma's ruling junta is trying to muster 100 per cent 'Yes' ballots in the rural areas rather than the urban areas in Northern Burma, local sources said.

The countrywide referendum on the draft constitution will be held on May 10.