BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's election commissioner says voters have approved a new junta-backed constitution in a referendum.
The constitution would lay the foundation for a civilian government influenced by the military and controlled by appointed rather than elected officials.
Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn says that with 91 percent of the votes counted, the "yes" camp received 61.5 percent of the votes, while 38.44 percent voted "no" in Sunday's referendum.
He says counting will stop when 95 percent of the votes have been tallied.
He said the turnout was only 55 percent of the 50 million eligible voters.