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Thailand holds first referendum Thailand holds first referendum
(about 2 hours later)
Voting has begun in Thailand's first ever referendum, in which people will choose whether to accept or reject a new constitution.Voting has begun in Thailand's first ever referendum, in which people will choose whether to accept or reject a new constitution.
The vote, called by the military-backed government that ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra last year, is also seen as a plebiscite on its seizure of power.The vote, called by the military-backed government that ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra last year, is also seen as a plebiscite on its seizure of power.
The government has sent copies of the 149-page document to all 18 million homes in Thailand.The government has sent copies of the 149-page document to all 18 million homes in Thailand.
Mr Thaksin's supporters want to see the constitution rejected.Mr Thaksin's supporters want to see the constitution rejected.
They say the charter is the creation of an illegitimate government.They say the charter is the creation of an illegitimate government.
Political turmoilPolitical turmoil
It would replace the popular 1997 constitution, which the generals tore up after seizing power. Election officials said they expected to announce the results late on Sunday.
Coup leader Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin urged people to vote, in a live TV address earlier in the day.
"I would like to ask people to come out to vote in the referendum. Today is an important and historic day," he said.
The constitution is meant to replace the popular 1997 constitution, which the generals tore up after seizing power.
Coup central to Thai charter voteCoup central to Thai charter vote
Critics say the new constitution is less democratic, as it proposes that the Senate should be only partly elected.Critics say the new constitution is less democratic, as it proposes that the Senate should be only partly elected.
But the government says there were too many loopholes in the old charter that allowed Mr Thaksin to abuse power.But the government says there were too many loopholes in the old charter that allowed Mr Thaksin to abuse power.
Its also says the new charter has many other clauses, like those recognising minority rights, which are more liberal than before.Its also says the new charter has many other clauses, like those recognising minority rights, which are more liberal than before.
The draft document limits future prime ministers to two terms in office and makes it easier to impeach them.The draft document limits future prime ministers to two terms in office and makes it easier to impeach them.
The military has promised elections to restore democratic government by the end of the year, if the constitution is approved.The military has promised elections to restore democratic government by the end of the year, if the constitution is approved.
But if the charter is rejected, the military has said it will pick any one of Thailand's 16 previous constitutions instead.But if the charter is rejected, the military has said it will pick any one of Thailand's 16 previous constitutions instead.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Thailand says the government hopes Thais will be persuaded to approve the charter to avoid leaving the country mired in political turmoil.The BBC's Jonathan Head in Thailand says the government hopes Thais will be persuaded to approve the charter to avoid leaving the country mired in political turmoil.