Chiang Mai – The National League for Democracy (NLD) party today urged people to cast a 'NO' vote in the upcoming constitutional referendum, believing the draft favors the continuation of military rule.

This latest statement from Burma's main opposition party reinforces the stance of pro-democracy forces against the constitution.

In the statement, the NLD said that the constitution was not drafted by the elected people's representatives, but drafted by the army as they wished. Therefore they call on the people to unanimously cast a 'NO' vote in the forthcoming referendum to be held in May.

"We request people from all walks of life to go to the polling stations and resolutely and bravely cast a 'NO' vote," the NLD statement reads.

"We can assist in the constitutional referendum by going to the polling stations. We take part in the referendum in this way.

But we request people to cast 'NO' votes in this referendum as per the rights granted by the law, as this constitution is contrary to generally conceded norms and principles, does not ensure equal rights and denies the people sovereignty," NLD lawyer U Than Nyunt elaborated to Mizzima.

NLD issued a special announcement along with their statement on important facts voters need to be aware of in the constitutional referendum, U Than Nyunt added.

This special announcement has 2 pages with 17 points, explaining how to act and what to do before, during and after voting.

Similarly, the party also issued a special announcement (4/03-2008) which points out how the military will play a future role in state affairs.

According to the new constitution draft, the army will play the leading role in state politics. The President and Vice-President must have a military background and experience. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces will directly appoint three key ministerial berths and the army will occupy a majority of seats in the National Defense and Security Councils. The special announcement criticized all these points.

Moreover the army has full authority over the administration of all military affairs, and is reserved 25 percent of the seats in both houses. Seventy-five percent of all MPs in both houses are to be needed for constitutional amendments.

NLD won an overwhelming victory in the 1990 general election, winning over 80 percent of seats, but the junta has refused to honor the verdict for almost two decades and is now planning to hold a new election in 2010.

In the NLD's statement issued on the 27th of March, 2008, the party called on the junta to recognize the 1990 general election result by convening parliament.

Meanwhile, NLD Youth members are agitating and organizing the entire country to cast a 'NO' vote in May's forthcoming constitutional referendum.

The draft constitution also includes provisions which bar NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi from holding office.

Copies of the draft constitution have yet to be made publicly available.