The National League for Democracy (NLD) has been refused permission by police in Naypyidaw to conduct a survey to measure public perception of constitutional reform, the Burmese opposition party said.

The NLD had scheduled a meeting to be held on Monday in Zabu Thiri Township in Naypyidaw, however the local police station denied the party a permit on the grounds that it had not supplied all the necessary documents, a party MP told DVB.

The party was also told they could not hold such a meeting so close to government offices and at a time when schools and offices are open, said NLD MP Min Thu.

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However, Min Thu said the party’s plan to hold a public referendum on the constitution was in accordance with the law and that the NLD organisers had provided all the relevant documents to authorities except the requested signatures of each speech-giver scheduled for the event.

“The rule that a political rally cannot be held at a place which is close to government offices, schools or religious buildings has recently been abolished by the Union Election Commission. So this is not a concrete reason,” said Min Thu. “The avenue [where we intend to stage the event] is very wide and will not cause a traffic jam or disturb local people.”

NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi was one of several key speakers scheduled for Monday’s meeting, alongside Win Myint and Aung Kyi Nyunt.

Burma’s main opposition party has been conducting a road trip of public events in Rangoon and other cities in recent weeks, talking to public gatherings and NLD supporters about the 2008 constitution and the party’s desire to have it amended or rewritten.

The NLD have claimed that their opinion polls show that 99 percent of 20,000 Rangoon voters interviewed said they favoured amending the constitution.