Rohingya Muslims will not be able to vote in Myanmar's referendum after President Thein Sein withdrew temporary voting rights following protests.
Hundreds of Buddhists took to the streets following the passage of a law that would allow temporary residents who hold "white papers" to vote.
More than one million Rohingya live in Myanmar, but they are not regarded ascitizens by the government.
In 2012, violence between Muslims and Buddhists left more than 200 dead.
The clashes broke out in Rakhine province and sparked religious attacks across the country.
The so-called white papers were introduced in 2010 by the former military junta to allow the Rohingya and other minorities to vote in a general election.
Thein Sein had originally persuaded parliament to grant white-paper holders the vote, but later apparently changed his mind.
The announcement came just hours after demonstrations in Yangon. Those protesting resent what they see as the integration of non-citizens into the country.
In December, the UN passed a resolution urging Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) to give access to citizenship for the Rohingya, many of whom are classed as stateless.