Referendum in Myanmar likely to solidify junta's power, even after deadly cyclone

State TV broadcast a special video showing two women singing a pop-style song whose lyrics translated to: "Let's go to cast vote.... with sincere thoughts for happy days ... Let's go to cast vote."

But in a country where the last election was held 18 years ago, many people had no idea how to vote.

Some asked each other or officials, "Where do I go?" or "What do I do?" as they walked into curtained booths to cast their ballots.

The referendum seeks public approval of a new constitution, which the generals say will be followed in 2010 by a general election. Both votes are elements of what the junta calls its "roadmap to democracy."

But the proposed constitution guarantees 25 percent of parliamentary seats to the military and allows the president to hand over all power to the military in a state of emergency _ elements critics say defy the junta's professed commitment to democracy.

It would also bar Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained leader of the country's pro-democracy movement, from public office. The military refused to honor the results of the 1990 general election won by her National League for Democracy party.

Some 27 million of the country's 57 million people were eligible to vote, although balloting was delayed for two weeks in the areas hardest hit by the May 3 cyclone. State media say 23,335 people died and 37,019 are missing from Cyclone Nargis, and international aid organizations say the death toll could climb to more than 100,000.

Anti-government groups and human rights organizations, which have criticized the charter as designed to perpetuate military rule, have bitterly accused the government of neglecting cyclone victims to advance its political agenda.

The fear of the military, which has ruled since 1962, is so great that few people among those who voted were expected to have marked "X" _ which stands for "No" to the constitution _ on their ballot, making the outcome a foregone conclusion.

Widespread rumors say the results have already been fixed to deliver an 84.6 percent vote in favor of the constitution.

Altsean Burma, a regional human rights group, said authorities instructed village officials to cast "Yes" votes on behalf of people who did not turn up at polling stations by 1 p.m.

Aye Aye Mar, a 36-year-old housewife, looked frightened when asked if she thought anyone would vote "No."

Her eyes darted around to see if anyone was watching, and then she whispered, "One vote of 'No' will not make a difference." Then she raised her voice. "I'm saying 'Yes' to the constitution."

Min Lwin, 40, made it clear that he did not believe his vote counted.

"What choice do I have?" he said, before quickly walking away.

Polling stations closed at 4 p.m., but a final count was not expected for two weeks. It is not clear when the results will be out.

Balloting took place across most of the country but was put off until May 24 in the areas most stricken by Cyclone Nargis a week ago _ including the biggest city, Yangon.

There are estimates that more than 1 million people may have been affected by the cyclone, which submerged entire villages and left many people homeless.

The junta has so far allowed in only material assistance and has rejected the large-scale presence of foreign relief workers who have capabilities that Myanmar lacks to cope with the disaster.

"Even as hundreds of thousands of its citizens struggle for basic shelter, food and health care, Myanmar's government has prioritized acceptance of the new constitution," Amnesty International said.

It said the proposed constitution was "an effort to undermine respect for human rights and to entrench military rule and impunity."

Groups that led last year's pro-democracy demonstrations also issued protests while carrying on with their campaign urging people to vote "no."

They urged people to mark their ballots with X, which has become a symbol of opposition. Activists, using the cover of darkness, have scrawled and spray-painted Xs in public places in Myanmar's cities.

In nearby Malaysia, about 500 Myanmar activists demonstrated Saturday outside their country's embassy in Kuala Lumpur, demanding that the junta call off the referendum even after voting began.

The protesters, who included dozens of women and children, waved placards saying "We ssssswant democracy", "No is our vote", "Stop the junta" and "Don't hold the referendum during mourning days." Most of them wore red T-shirts bearing the word "No".

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.