Burma introduces new constitution

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Burma introduces new constitution

Burma has adopted a new constitution which the country's military regime says is approved by over 90 percent of the population.

The military pressed ahead with a constitutional referendum earlier this month, despite international calls to delay the vote due to Cyclone Nargis, which left over 130,000 Burmese dead or missing and caused widespread chaos.

The regime has said the new constitution will pave the way for elections in two years.

However, detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi says the charter will only entrench military rule. She will be barred from running for office under the new constitution, which reserves a quarter of parliamentary seats for the military.