15 May—The Commission for Holding the Referendum of the Union of Myanmar today issued Announcement No 10/2008 dated 15 May 2008.

The full text of the Announcement is as follows:—

2. The Commission issued Announcement No 8/2008 dated 6 May 2008 that the referendum for 40 townships in Yangon Division and seven townships in Ayeyawady Division which were hit by Cyclone ‘Nargis’ will be held on 24 May 2008.

3. The population of the Union now is 57,504,368 and the population of those who have attained the age of 18 years and who are eligible to vote is 27,369,957.

4. The following are the results of the referendum held in 278 townships on 10 May 2008.

(a) Number of eligible voters 22,708,434

(b) Number of those who cast vote 22,496,660

(c) Number of those who cast ‘Yes’ vote 20,786,596

(d) Number of those who cast ‘No’ vote 1,375,480

(e) Number of cancelled votes 334,584

5. In the 278 townships, 22,496,660 or 99.07 per cent of 22,708,434 eligible voters cast vote in the referendum.

6. The commission hereby announces that 20,786,596 of 22,496,660 voters cast ‘Yes’ vote, accounting for 92.4 per cent.