Executive Summary: "In May 2008, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) held a referendum in which citizens of Burma were asked to vote on a new national constitution for the country. This report provides an overview of that process and offers a detailed assessment of the conduct of the referendum within Kachin State, and northern Shan State. Based on that assessment, this report concludes that the referendum was a sham ? the Kachin State Referendum Commission clearly intended to ensure the approval of the draft constitution regardless of public sentiment. Officials engineered victory through the pervasive abuse of voters? basic rights and engaged in widespread fraud. In short, the May 2008 referendum is not a legitimate measure of citizens? consent to be governed, but rather a reflection of the government?s determination to impose its rule regardless of public sentiment. As the fourth ?step” in the ?Road Map to Democracy”, the conduct of the referendum is illustrative of ?Disciplined Democracy” and bodes poorly for the promised elections in 2010. The Institute for Political Analysis and Documentation (IPAD) has produced this report in order to raise the public?s awareness about the illegitimate character of the referendum. IPAD is an independent policy research and training center devoted to Burma. Founded in January 2008, IPAD promotes democracy, human rights and accountable governance through a range of initiatives including political analysis, human rights documentation, and grassroots roots training initiatives."...N.B. A Google search found no website or publications other than "No Real Choice" by IPAD, which in the press release states that: "IPAD promotes democracy, and accountable governance in Burma through a range of initiatives including political analysis, human rights assessments, and grassroots roots training initiatives."