Myanmar president approves plan for constitution referendum: lawmakers

[YANGON] Myanmar's president has given the green light to hold a referendum this year on amendments to the country's military-drafted constitution, two lawmakers said on Wednesday.

President Thein Sein gave his approval late on Tuesday to hold the plebiscite, which could take place as early as May. Myanmar is due to hold a general election towards the end of this year. "Now that the law has been enacted, the Election Commission is soon expected to name a suitable date for the referendum in May," Thein Nyunt, a lower house lawmaker, told Reuters by telephone.

Upper house representative Aye Maung also confirmed the approval of the referendum on the constitution, which opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been campaigning to amend, primarily because of the extensive powers it grants the military, which ruled Myanmar for 49 years.

REUTERS