Myanmar's voters will Saturday cast ballots for die first time since 1990, but some fear that the junta - -determined to secure approval for its draft constitution -- will be watching dieir every move.

The ruling generals have put their propaganda machine into overdrive to push for a "Yes" vote in the referendum, while the main pro-democracy party says its activists have been beaten and arrested for opposing the charter.

"You can see calls on the front page of every newspaper for a 'Yes'

vote. It shows what kind of result the government wants to get from this referendum," a 62-year-old retired police officer who did not want to be named told AFP.

He said he had read the draft co nstitution, which only’ went on sale April 9. Bookstores in the main city Yangon reported strong sales, but circulation of the document in the rest of the country appears limited.

"I was in service when the previous 1974 constitution was approved. Ofcourse I also had to cast a 'Yes' vote at that time as I was a civil servant I think this time will be also the same for all civil servants," he said.