Wednesday 30 April 2008

ABFSU calls on students to monitor referendum

Apr 29, 2008 (DVB)—The All-Burma Federation of Students' Unions has called on students across Burma to closely monitor the May referendum to prevent vote rigging by the authorities.

In a statement released yesterday, the ABFSU said the group suspected the ruling State Peace and Development Council would not allow a free and fair vote.

The group accused the government of detaining ethnic and political leaders and hundreds of activists “in order to achieve a situation where they can easily cheat in the referendum”.

Ko Linn Htet Naing, a leader of the ABFSU, told DVB the group was calling for the assistance of students as the government has refused to let international observers into Burma to monitor the referendum.

"We need to prevent the government from rigging the vote and stopping the people of Burma from expressing their true will," said Linn Htet Naing.

"We would like to urge the students of Burma to take on this historic responsibility and closely monitor the ballot stations."

The national referendum on the draft constitution is due to be held on 10 May.

The Burmese government has been using incentives and intimidation to persuade people to vote “Yes” in the upcoming vote.

Some civil servants have also said they were told by local officials that “Yes” votes had already been cast on their behalf.

Activists campaigning against the constitution have faced harassment from the authorities, and press freedom in reporting on the referendum inside the country is severely restricted.

Reporting by Aye Nai

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