Mar 17, 2008 (DVB), The 88 Generation Students group outlined its objections to the Burmese regime's proposed constitution and urged people to vote No in the May referendum, in a statement released on Friday.

The group complains that the constitution lacks balance, does not provide for a federal system to ensure equal rights for all ethnic groups, and was written without the participation of people's parliament representatives.

They also claim it does not include clear provisions to guarantee a truly democratic society that can protect the basic human rights of its citizens and fairly distribute economic benefits.

As a result, the group called on people to vote No to the constitution in the upcoming national referendum.

"The national referendum is just a sham which people are going to be forced to accept," the statement said.

"Everyone who has the opportunity to vote should go to the polling booths and vote No," the group continued.

"There is no need to be afraid , they have no right to arrest anyone for voting No. The power is in the people’s hands."

In the event of the regime manipulating the result, the group called for people to continue to oppose the government.

"If they cheat and force through the referendum even though we vote against it, we will carry on as a non-violent people’s movement and continue our fight," the group said.

Reporting by Maung Too