Myanmar votes across cyclone zone

YANGON (AFP) - Voters in regions devastated by the cyclone, many hungry and destitute, cast ballots Saturday in a referendum that many said was meaningless because Myanmar's junta has already declared victory.

Five million people were eligible to vote on a constitution that the military says will lead to democratic elections in two years, but that critics say will only extend the generals' grip over the country they've ruled for nearly half a century.

The regime says the charter was overwhelmingly approved by 92.4 per cent in the first round of voting on May 10, held in parts of the country spared by the cyclone.

Even though their votes will not change the outcome, people left their patched-up homes and makeshift shelters to cast ballots at schools, temples and community centres that served as polling stations.

"My vote is nothing for them," said a 30-year-old taxi driver. "They won already. What's important for me is trying to earn some money today."