Myanmar referendum law allows free voting, open counting of votes

YANGON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's constitutional referendum law, which was published in Wednesday's state media, allows free casting of votes and open counting of them on a constitution draft to ensure the forthcoming nationwide referendum on the draft, slated for May, be free and fair.

The law allows secret casting of votes into the ballot box that is publicly visible to ensure it is free and ballots be counted in the presence of voters as soon as the ballot box closes to ensure it is fair according to the referendum law made public on the state-run Myanmar-language daily Myanmar Alin.

The law warned against acts aimed at undermining the referendum, banning public speeches and disseminating of leaflets and posters in an attempt to disturb the running of the referendum.

Law-breakers will be punished with a prison term of up to three years or a fine in cash up to 100,000 Kyats (nearly 100 U.S. dollars), the law stated.

The ruling Myanmar military government Tuesday enacted a 12-chapter 31-provision 2008 Republic of Union of Myanmar Referendum Law and set up a commission for a nationwide constitutional referendum.

The move, declared by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), came a week after the government's State Constitution Drafting Commission announced the completion of the constitution draft on Feb. 19 which will seek its approval in the forthcoming referendum.

Formed under the referendum law, the 45-member Commission for Holding Nationwide Referendum is headed by Chief Justice U Aung Toe who was also chairman of the State Constitution Drafting Commission.

According to Feb. 9 government announcement, a nationwide referendum will be held in May this year to seek the whole country people’s approval on the constitution draft and a multi-party democracy general election to transform the military administration into democratic administration to follow in 2010 in accordance with the government's seven-step roadmap to democracy.

The new constitution had been drafted by the government-formed state constitution drafting commission since Dec. 3 last year, based on the detailed basic principles laid down in the years-long national convention which started in 1993 and ended in September last year. That national convention was participated by over 1,000delegates coming from eight categories of delegate groups including national races and turned-in former anti-government ethnic armed groups.

According to the government's roadmap announced in August 2003,the new constitution draft is to be endorsed through a national referendum, then a general election will follow to produce parliament representatives and form a new democratic government.

Ohnbon,

What kind of constitution is this? Is it drafted by the military sponsor selected, restricted, forced rubber stamped handful of people OR is it done by all sectors of the people including democratic opposition NLD? Do you had a brain of your own to answer my question truthfully? In other words can you answer truthfully using your own brain and let the world knows you express on your own and not on someone else's brain.

If not don't waste your time and effort in re-publishing junta supportive propaganda bullcrap by copy and paste conduct.!

Do you understand what I'm saying or are you stupid enough not to understand my simple question?

Dear Patriots, and ZynnYaw,

Everybody have a right and free to express his/her view in anyway they like But they have no right to abuse that right and that freedom of their s or others. That is the principle and if we stick to that principle , we all will be alright. Less strain. Less stress and less frustration. Which means we are cool and that will give us cool head and more thinking power.

Ohnmar supposed to be a girl’s name. But Omar could be a man’s name in the Muslim world. , I will refer to Ohnmar as “ she “ if necessary. .

From the start, one has no respect for the other. The other one took the names Ohnmar and the one called her Ohnbon. He would not call her that name without knowing the meaning of it. Ohnbon can be anything.

What kind of constitution is this, is a very interesting question, it is a serious question.
This forum is to exchange views concerning our beloved nation Myanmar and all the people of Myanmar. It is generally accepted that different people will have different views. We can learn from each other . Call it educational

When Ohnmar came up with an answer she knows or the information she thinks people should know.. May be she wants us to discuss on that. But, the one who ask the question not only refused to accept that as an answer but also made many accusing against her instead of discussing on it. For that someone, that may the democracy he knows, that may the human rights he adores, I think.

Myanmr is going towards democracy, which is compatible to the Myanmar ways of life. One could say in her own style may be. That is nothing wrong . Everybody has his/her own style of doing things. Without their own style they may be accused of copying. When they have their own style they don’t escape from criticism. That we have to take it as nature and we have to go on.

On his own words, I believe the one understands and agrees that the Democracy cannot be copied and pasted on Myanmar. I believe the one accepts and agrees Constitutions of other nations cannot be copied and pasted on Myanmar. Well when Myanmar is among many in the world. It cannot escaped. From the beginning at the National Convention delegates and representative studied many constitutions from many nations in the world and picked what would suit Myanmar and its people., what would compatible to the people of Myanmar.

Democracy is like spirit or alcohol in raw materiel stage. It has to be flavoured . If you flavoured it with rose scent, it will be a perfume with rose scent. If you flavoured it with Whisky scent it will become whisky and so on. What do you want to do with it is up to you., to your taste it will be what you want it to be.

Democracy or constitution are the ones, on no copy and paste basis as one rightly believes . The constitution of United States or any other country cannot be copied and pasted on holy Shwedagon Pagoda for Myanmar and the people of Myanma to follow.. As simple as that..

To ask that question, one must be brainy and have bags full of knowledge of the world’s current affairs and constitutions. One must know how many kind of constitutions are there in the world. One has to know the constitutions of other countries.

Without the necessarily knowledge one will never know what kind of constitution is this in Myanmar. Especially how constitution were drafter by former colonial masters for their colonies one will know and have his/her own answer.

I have been patiently waiting that one will come up again and educated us on the constitutions that he knows., hoping to hear from him, his ideas of constitution, his style of constitution. But my time has been wasted, I did not hear any more from him. Even if he comes up with a constitution or constitutions I hope he does not copy from any where. I sincerely hope, he does not.

The other one did not come back, because I think she does not want to be talking to the wall or to the one who thinks he has more brain. What kind of brain he himself will only know , I am not here to judge him. But in my view he seems to be nothing but an arrogant , ignorant, he does not want others to know that he is . May be that the way he learn from others.

Constitutions do not dropped from the sky, they don’t popped out from the grown , They are not imported to Mynamar under import licence .

Constitutions are drafted by a handful of people. They always been . For Myanma
for 54 million people cannot sit together in one place and draft it. That is why a group of people drafted it and put it before the rest of the people for referendum.

NLD and other made their own choice. They decided not to take part in the National Convention, lay down principles and to draft the constitution. Especially NLD after taking part withdrew from it by the order of Ma SU Kyi. And That is the TRUTH which is not hidden behind closed doors, behind silk curtain or behind iron curtain.

You should be in the Natuional Convention, you should be one of them to fraft the constitution. Where were you when they needed you?

Especially for this constitution basic principals and details principles are drafted by people from all walks of life in Myanmar . Whether they belong to a political party or not.

Call it copy and paste , but what SPDC was doing was in line with some other countries and in line with what British Governor of Burma had done before while they were rulers in Burma.

The records show that the British Governor at that time namely Sir Reginald Dorman Smith had nominated thirty five non- officials Burmans for the Legislative Council of Burma. I am not going into details on this , because I am giving his/her a chance to find out by him/herself who has more brain than me or anybody else.

The truth is the truth , it can never be hidden behind closed doors, behind silk curtain
Or behind iron curtains . Sometime the truth is the truth which you accept as truth . No matter how true is the truth, if you don’t accept it as atruth, it will never be the truth for you.

You have to find out by yourself. The truth for me may be not the truth for you. You have your view from your own angle. You ask the question, somebody answered, you don’t like it. It’s OK . Your answer to your own question may not be liked by somebody else. This is the world we are living in.

In the world there are clever people, more clever people, those who thinks they are clever, thinking others are stupid. It is all in the mind. That is why Buddha said,
“ Puhtuzinnaw Ohma Dagaw “ all human are loonies in one way or the other.

Don’t worry about others whether they understand what you are saying or not.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND YOURSELF WHAT YOU ARE SAYING ?

They understand you very well . You see they did not waste time on you. But for me I am here to open your eyes and ears of you. I don’t want you to be an ignorant. I am helping you to ease your strain , stress and from frustrations.

I want you to talk, not shout. If you are sure you are a brainy person, then Myanmar and its people needs you at this time. But the question is in which way are you brainy?

It is nice talking to you. Talking is always nice , especially when you talk nicely. Why don't you try and talk sometimes?

Regards,

Thunderbolts.

OK thunderpests and to the readers.

You said you want to talk. Let's talk directly. I am pointing the fact that if he/she (as you mention it) does not understand what copy and paste means then it is common sense that he/she is a no brainer. Every human person had to judge. Judgement is a decision one has to make either in personal, political, financial or spiritual affairs/matters. One can make a fine/correct/right judgement or one can make a wrong/incorrect/bad judgment. It depends upon that individual. You can refrain from judging others but you have to judge for yourself. In "Ohnbon" case I judge for myself. Do you get my point? Why do I say I judge for myself? Here's the explanation. When ever a person had to do or act or an action is taken, one has to analyzed the situation. What is the other person's motives, actions, conduct and so on. Base on that analizing factor one has to response or react appropriately. To make it more clearer, when you see a blind man doing all sorts of mistakes because he/she cannot see THEN a person who is NOT blind had to response by taking away obstacles in the blind man's way or finding a trained dog to lead the blind man to where he wanted to go etc. As you yourself had mention this forum is a discussion forum THEN why on earth do we have to read news that had been published already by its original owner/publisher who had the copy rights? If I want to read the news of this that I will go to the source or link or whatever, not in a discussion forum. Do you understand to this point Mr. thunderpests? Having providing a link and having copy and paste are 2 entirely different matter. The link? it is a choice given to the reader what she/he can choose. Either go to that link and find out OR ignore it. Simple as that. Now, by copying and pasting on the DISCUSSION FORUM this is bad, idiotic and stupid. It is agitating to see news that I am not interested nor had credibility nor do I had any trust on that propaganda stuff created or made up for the fools. If you guys and gals have the right to agitate me THEN I am fully ready to response in an appropriate manner. No sweat. It is like showing a hardcore sexual intercourse pictures to 3 year olds which is not appropriate nor intelligent thing to do.
Another important matter. Calling usernames in this forum. Some don't even use the username and instead use "Patriots" and stuff. That's OK with me. It is up to the writer what he/she wants to use and what he/she doesn't want to use. A writer can choose what ever word he choses in his/her post in accordance to his/her mood. That's perfectly fine. Like wise I will choose what ever name I feel or in the mood in my post. By the way this "ZynnYaw" name was chosen by others when I used to lived in Burma. To be more precise it is a name given to me when I was attending University at Rangoon Arts and Science University now it is known as Yangon Arts and Science University which the junta closed, killed, jailed university students and the facility/faculty. "ZynnYaw" was a nickname given to me by University "females" students that have interests on me as a long hair "fresher" King chosen by fellow females ofcourse at freshmen/women welcome ceremony. Don't ask me why these university female students call me or give me this nickname/petname "ZynnYaw" because I truly don't know. For these females, there has to be a reason to call me that name. I accept what they call me for it is their rights to call me whatever they choose.

As for dafting the constitution no one is copy and paste anything to Burma or Myanmar (as the junta wants to be called which I don't have much problem). Will it be too much if I say I can turn around Burma from a backward, poor country into advance prosperous country within 10 years?. This I can promise with confidence. Forget about small nation like Burma, let's take a big nation like USA for an example. The world knows USA is in hard times, financially, militarily and politically (election year).
Firstly, let me start with the political situation of USA. All major 4 candidates namely John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama are billiant and bright ones and I am confident who ever of these four wins in November General Election, America will be in "good, smart and intelligent" leader's hands. In other words I am looking forward to January 20th of 2009.
Second, on the matter of financial crises. I am too (still) struggling to survive this immense tsunami tide of suffocating Mortgage Meltdown, Credit Crunch and Foreclosures Frenzy of the entire nation that effects millions and millions of Americans. With the "little help" from God (which I pray to him every morning to date), I think I can survive this deadly fatal crush by finding a way out of the retracking retreat of real estate business which affects the nation's economy and citizens intensely, decisively and drastically.
Thirdly, on the military matter. The immense waste of money (in my opinion) mainly on Iraq can be insighted by future President and maintain, focus on US military in strength, alertness even build an Empire that stretch out the entire planet through another millenium!
IF I am the President of USA (which I never will) I will definitely create the "middle class" my BACKBONE and make them all millionaires and create a strong nation that no one dares to confront let alone flies, "fly bys" at US territorial air space or waters. Instead of 170 Billion dollars stimulus package President Bush/Congress had pump into the economy, I will use TRILLIONS of dollars (as stimulus package) just as we use in Iraq but these "Trillions of dollars" will be use INSIDE United States of Amerca (NOT IN IRAQ) and her Citizens (left out illegal Aliens for sure). If we can used TRILLIONS of dollars on Iraq and Iraqis why can't we use it (Trillions) on America and for Americans?. Why not? In my insight it is the rich and wealthy middle class that makes this nation the Super Power. Now I'm not so sure USA is in a "Super Power" status. Now I had doubts. serious doubts.

As the post is getting longer (I hate long and tedious text) I will stop for now. This response is for now and it is "genuine, authentic and sincere" that comes from my heart/mind/brain. Not a single word of "copy and paste" from no where and from no one. My yinglish or writing may not be so good at son tine, son where, son place but my true intentions are.

I don't know talking is nice or not but I do mention my.........................regards.<br><br>Post edited by: ZynnYaw, at: 2008/03/03 23:37

Here are some questions I would like answered:

1. Will there be a military presence at polling stations? If so wouldn't that intimidate voters?
2. Will there be a single ballot box for all votes? Do you guarantee there won't be one box for &quot;yes&quot; and one box for &quot;no&quot; votes?
3. Is the ballot box going to be transparent or opaque? If it is transparent wouldn't voters worry their choice could be seen?

Thank you for your time

The Burmese military had done this before in the 1970s. After ruling Burma for a decade (illegally) or so General Ne Win and his regime change the constitution, the national flag and transformed the military top brass/regime into civilian government by the name of Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP) rulers. Same military men with different shirts/clothes. Burmese military (tatmadaw in Burmese language) did the same thing again now or attempting to do the same scenario now. Ex-Generals become civil Ministers of variety of Ministries of the new civilian government with the new constitution and new national flag.. Now these militarymen (SPDC) are rejecting the UN supervision for they are as guilty as hell in imposing the installed civilian government by the disguise of USDA or whatever proxy party or entity and EX-military personals, proxy civilians become the new &quot;disciplined democratic government&quot; just as they (military) did in the 70s. Just another name change, shirts change with same power in same EX-military personals/proxies. Trying to make the illegal.......................legal so that they can rule and exploit the people and the nation for decades in disguise.
Any person or group or government believes a tiger is a vegetarian or on diet is a fool or an idiot or stupid. Stupidity is incurable and there is no medicine or doctor for stupidity. Smart people knows tiger can never change its stripes no matter what the circumstances or situations are.


ianh68 wrote:

QUOTE:
Here are some questions I would like answered:

1. Will there be a military presence at polling stations? If so wouldn't that intimidate voters?
2. Will there be a single ballot box for all votes? Do you guarantee there won't be one box for &quot;yes&quot; and one box for &quot;no&quot; votes?
3. Is the ballot box going to be transparent or opaque? If it is transparent wouldn't voters worry their choice could be seen?

Thank you for your time