Jun 3, 2008 (DVB), The National League for Democracy in Meikhtila township strongly denounced the results of the government's constitutional referendum in their monthly meeting yesterday, according to the Meikhtila party chairman.

The Burmese military regime claimed the constitution was approved by 92 percent of voters in a national referendum held on 10 and 24 May, but the vote was marred by reports of intimidation and vote-rigging.

Meikhtila NLD chairman Myint Myint Aye said the party had been disappointed with the way the referendum was conducted.

"We mistakenly believed in the secret voting system announced by the government and we never thought it would turn so ugly , we even urged people to put their fears aside and vote ‘No’ at the ballot station," he said.

"But when the referendum was over, we found out about the unfair and illegal actions taken to rig the vote," he said.

"But the government accepted the results and announced they had won 92.48 percent of the vote. We strongly denounce this."

This month's Meikhtila NLD meeting was attended by local NLD members from Thar Si and Wun Twin townships as well as 1990 elected people’s parliament representative Dr Hla Aung.

Reporting by Nan Kham Kaew