Maungdaw, Arakan State : Burma held its referendum to approve the draft constitution on May 10, regardless of warnings that more people would die unless the government focused on delivering emergency aid for survivors of the May 2, 3 Cyclone Nargis.
 
In Aung Seik Pyan village in Maungdaw Township , a voter was thrown out from the voting booth after being humiliated by the Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) Chairman as he ticked the No "vote", said a village elder.
 
Another voter was arrested and kept in police custody for two hours for casting the 'No' vote but later he was released. He hails from the village of Lake Ya in Maungdaw Township , said a relative of the victim.
 
On May 10, a group of Arakan Liberation Party, (ALP) members led by Lt. Col Saw Mya took away two ballot boxes from the polling booths of Shwe Hlain Vay and Pakawa villages of Palawa Township . However, on May 11, the concerned authorities held the referendum again and the villagers were forced to cast the "Yes" vote, said a police aide.
 
A group of youths under the banner of Bangladesh Sacheton Nagorick Samity formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club in Chittagong , Bangladesh on May 10, demanding distribution of relief in Burma , before the referendum. But, plainclothes policemen seized the banner at one stage. In the banners was written "ensure relief for Burmese people.� No Vote" for referendum in Burma ," according to Md Ayub, a University student of Chittagong .
 
In Kyaukpru, Rambree and Taunggup Townships , most of the people cast the 'No' vote and many ballot papers were torn into pieces and thrown in the room instead of being put in the ballot boxes. Some ballot papers were kept near the ballot box without any mark. In the whole of Arakn State , the ruling junta got 2, 224,000 "Yes" votes in the referendum, according to reliable sources.
 
Rakhing Women's Union (RHW) strongly condemned holding referendum by the Burma ’s military junta for approving the draft constitution and opposed the false results.
 
It also said that the Burmese junta instead of helping the people, insisted on continuing with its sham referendum for approving the draft constitution, said a press release.
 
The ruling junta is also trying to defend its role in ruling the country and continues to ignore the people's desire for democratic rights. There is also total reluctance of the military junta to take care of its people. All they are interested in to cling to power, said a schoolteacher in Maungdaw.     
Amidst death and distress of Burma ’s people, the ruling junta held the referendum on a new constitution on May 10, against world opinion that stressed on reaching emergency relief to completely helpless victims of the cyclone, said a politician.
 
It is no surprise, the referendum was said to be widely tarnished by fraud and terrorization with voters threatened with imprisonment if they voted against the desire of the military rulers, according to a retired government service man.
 
By turning down offers of help by the world community and holding a questionable referendum, the military junta has proved to the world how unconcerned it was about the welfare of its own people, the man further added.