The Myanmar government on Tuesday enacted a constitutional referendum law and set up a commission for a nationwide constitutional referendum slated for May, according to night broadcast of the state radio and television.

The move, declared by the State Peace and Development Council ( SPDC), came a week after the government's State Constitution Drafting Commission announced on February 9 the completion of the constitution draft, which will seek its approval in the forthcoming referendum.

The referendum law, which comprises 12 chapters with 31 provisions, will be published on Wednesday's state newspapers, the SPDC said in its announcement.

The 45-member referendum commission, formed under the referendum law, is headed by Chief Justice U Aung Toe, who is also the chairman of the State Constitution Drafting Commission, it added.

According to February 9 government announcement, a nationwide referendum will be held in May this year to seek the whole country people's approval of the draft constitution. A multi-party democracy general election to transform the military administration into democratic administration will follow in 2010 in accordance with the government's seven-step roadmap to democracy.

The new constitution had been drafted by the government-formed 54-member state constitution drafting commission since December 3 last year, based on the detailed basic principles laid down in the 14-year-long national convention which started in 1993 and ended in September last year. The national convention was participated by over 1,000 delegates coming from eight categories of delegate groups including national races and turned-in former anti-government ethnic armed groups.

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.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2008)