(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-09 15:25

YANGON - Myanmar's Commission for Holding Nationwide Referendum has initially outlined some fact points about the forthcoming nationwide referendum set for May in its bid to approve the completed constitution draft, state newspaper New Light of Myanmar reported Sunday.

U Thaung Nyunt, member of the commission, told visiting United Nations Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari in their meeting on Friday that the polling would be conducted in line with the international systems, and the specific date for the referendum would be announced 21 days ahead of it and the referendum would be held within a day.

Arrangements would be made for the Myanmar people to understand the polling process in the 21-day period, he said.

On the presence of foreign observers for the referendum if necessary, U Thaung Nyunt said that holding of referendum is within the country's sovereignty and there were no instances of foreign observers monitoring such past events.

With regard to the UN's proposal to render technical assistance to the upcoming referendum, U Thaung Nyunt said "he will bear it in mind and Myanmar has adequate experience".

Gambari, who is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's special adviser on Myanmar, is currently on a mission to Myanmar in his renewed efforts for the country's national reconciliation and democratic process.

Since his arrival in Yangon on Thursday, Gambari has held talks with Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win, Minister of Information Brigadier-General Kyaw Hsan and Supreme Court Chief Justice U Aung Toe who heads a 45-member commission for holding nationwide constitutional referendum.

Gambari also met with Aung San Suu Kyi, detained general secretary of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and senior leaders of the NLD, National Union Party and Union Solidarity and Development Association.

Gambari's present mission is the fifth since he was appointed to the post in early 2006 and the first after the Myanmar government announced on February 9 a timetable for holding the nationwide referendum in May.  

On February 26, the State Peace and Development Council enacted a 12-chapter 31-provision 2008 Republic of Union of Myanmar Referendum Law and set up a commission to govern the upcoming May nationwide constitutional referendum.

According to the government's roadmap announced in August 2003, the new constitution draft is to be endorsed through a national referendum, then a general election will follow to produce parliament representatives and form a new democratic government.