Referendum farce in Burma

But more than sympathy is needed, because the Burmese military junta's incompetence and brutal oppression are further aggravating the tragic consequences of this natural disaster.   

In the midst of the cyclone's devastation, Burma's ruling generals went ahead and held a referendum on a new constitution. But, according to Burma's Constitutional Referendum Act, members of religious organisations, those subject to criminal prosecution, and members of ethnic groups that have not agreed to a ceasefire with the government were barred from voting.