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Myanmar withdraws Rohingya right to vote after Buddhists protest

The government in Myanmar withdrew temporary voting rights given to Rohingya, after widespread protests by Buddhists.

The move means the over one million strong Rohingya population in Myanmar will not be able to vote in the forthcoming constitutional referendum.

The temporary voting cards, known as white papers, were introduced in 2010 to allow ethnic minorities to vote in elections.

"White card holders are not citizens and those who are non-citizens don't have the right to vote in other countries," said Shin Thumana, a Buddhist monk who took part in the protest.

"This is just a ploy by politicians to win votes."

Buddhist monks have been at the forefront of protests against the Rohingya, including when violent clashes erupted in 2012.

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