Voting on a referendum for a proposed new constitution has begun in Burma even as the country continues to struggle with devastation wreaked by a cyclone that left thousands dead and about one million homeless.

The military government of Burma, also known as Myanmar, pushed ahead with the controversial referendum across most of the country, though residents in areas hardest hit by Cyclone Nargis, including the largest city of Rangoon, get a two-week delay to cast their votes.

Around half of the 57 million people are eligible to vote, though it is unclear how many will cast their votes on May 24 instead.

Even before the May 3 storm ripped through the country, the vote was considered to skew in favour of the junta that has ruled more than four decades.

The constitution proposed in the referendum is expected to be followed by a general election in 2010.

Both votes are part of what the junta describes as a road map to democracy for the country, but critics say the proposed constitution is designed to perpetuate military rule.

Human rights organizations have also blasted the junta for holding the referendum while the country is still reeling from Saturday's cyclone.

The draft constitution guarantees 25 per cent of parliamentary seats to the military and allows the president to hand over all power to the military in a state of emergency.

With files from the Associated Press

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