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Burma sets date for popular votes Burma sets date for popular votes
(19 minutes later)
Burma will hold a constitutional referendum in May followed by general elections in 2010, the country's military junta has said.Burma will hold a constitutional referendum in May followed by general elections in 2010, the country's military junta has said.
The regime had set out what it called a roadmap for democracy but had not previously given any firm timetable.The regime had set out what it called a roadmap for democracy but had not previously given any firm timetable.
It made the announcement in a statement on state television and radio.It made the announcement in a statement on state television and radio.
Burma has been under military rule since 1962. The country saw rare nationwide protests against the ruling junta in August and September.Burma has been under military rule since 1962. The country saw rare nationwide protests against the ruling junta in August and September.
The military responded with a deadly crackdown in which at least 31 people were killed, according to the UN.
Saturday's announcement said that "multi-party democratic elections will be held in 2010, according to the new constitution.Saturday's announcement said that "multi-party democratic elections will be held in 2010, according to the new constitution.
'More to do'
"It is suitable to change the military administration to a democratic, civil administrative system, as good fundamentals have been established," the regime said."It is suitable to change the military administration to a democratic, civil administrative system, as good fundamentals have been established," the regime said.
"The country's basic infrastructure has been built, although there is still more to do in striving for the welfare of the nation.""The country's basic infrastructure has been built, although there is still more to do in striving for the welfare of the nation."
Burma held a multi-party election in 1990 that was won by the National League for Democracy (NLD), headed by pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Burma held a multi-party election in 1990, two years after thousands were killed in a crackdown on popular demonstrations.
The military ignored the result and Ms Suu Kyi has spent 12 of the last 18 years under house arrest in Burma's commercial capital, Rangoon. The National League for Democracy (NLD), headed by pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, won the poll.
Instead, the military formed a convention in 1993 that spent the next 14 years laying out the guidelines for a new constitution. But the military ignored the result and Ms Suu Kyi has spent 12 of the last 18 years under house arrest in Burma's commercial capital, Rangoon.
Saturday's statement said the constitution would be finished soon. Ms Suu Kyi's party won elections in 1990
Instead, the military formed a convention in 1993 that spent the next 14 years setting out guidelines for a new constitution.
Saturday's statement said the constitution, which is now being drafted by a government-appointed commission, would be finished soon.
The military's roadmap for democracy has been widely dismissed as a sham by observers.
Late last month, Ms Suu Kyi said she was not satisfied by recent talks with military rulers, expressing concern that the meetings might raise false hopes of political reform.
She repeated demands that the talks must involve pro-democracy groups and representatives of Burma's ethnic groups.