Myanmar says military-backed constitution approved

“To everyone in the delta _ in the 47 effected townships where the vote is being delayed _ this is basically saying you might as well not turn out”

Myanmar announced Thursday that a constitution won massive support in a referendum _ a claim slammed by a leading rights group as an insult to the country's people.

The document, which critics say will cement nearly four decades of military rule, was approved by 92.4 percent of the 22 million eligible voters last Saturday, said Aung Toe, head of the Referendum Holding Committee on state radio. He put voter turnout at more than 99 percent.

The vote has also come under fire for being held while the country responds to a massive cyclone that has killed tens of thousands of people. Read more