Mar 10, 2008 (AFP), Burma’s military government has rejected a UN proposal for the regime to allow observers at its constitutional referendum planned for May, state television said Saturday.

The proposal was made by visiting UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari during his talks with election officials on Friday, when he offered to help provide independent observers and UN technical assistance with the polls.

A member of the commission organising the balloting, Thaung Nyung, rejected the offer, saying the referendum was a domestic affair.

"We have enough experience, but we take note of your offer," Thaung Nyung said, according to state television.

"Holding the referendum on the constitution is within the country’s sovereignty," he said. "For internal affairs in the past, we have never had observers from outside."