Yangon, Apr 2: Myanmar's opposition claimed a historic victory on Sunday for pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in her first bid for a seat in parliament, sparking scenes of jubilation among supporters.
Thousands of people clapped and cheered outside Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) headquarters in Yangon after the party announced the Nobel Peace Prize laureate had won a parliamentary seat after by-elections.
Some people danced in the street while others wept with joy at the news, which if confirmed would mark a stunning turnaround for the former political prisoner, who was locked up by the former junta for most of the past 22 years.
“We have been waiting for this day for a long time. I'm so happy,” said NLD supporter Kalyar, who goes by one name.
Suu Kyi won an estimated 99 percent of the votes in Kawhmu constituency, according to NLD official Soe Win, based on the party's own tally. There was no independent confirmation and official results were expected within a week.
The party also claimed it was on course to win all 44 seats it contested in Sunday's by-elections, in which a total of 45 seats were at stake — not enough to threaten the army-backed ruling party's huge majority in parliament.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in Istanbul for a meeting of the “Friends of Syria” group, said Washington was committed to supporting the nascent reforms in Burma that have been cautiously welcomed by the West.
“While the results have not yet been announced, the United States congratulates the people who participated, many for their first time in the campaign and election process,” Clinton told reporters.
Observers believe Burma's new quasi-civilian government wanted Suu Kyi to win a place in parliament to burnish its reform credentials and smooth the way for an easing of Western sanctions.
A European Union official invited to observe the vote hailed “very encouraging” signs at the roughly dozen polling stations her team visited.
“However, that's definitely not enough to assume that it is indicative of how the process was conducted in other parts of the country and certainly not enough to talk about credibility of elections,” Malgorzata Wasilewska said.
Many of Suu Kyi's supporters had earlier waited for hours in searing heat to catch a glimpse of the 66-year-old in the rural Kawhmu constituency, two hours' drive from Yangon, where her main rival was a former military doctor with the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Voters, some in traditional ethnic Karen dress, queued patiently to cast their votes. In stark contrast to life under the junta, many openly expressed their support and affection for “The Lady”.
“There's only been one person for us for 20 years,” said Tin Zaw Win.
“We believe in her and want to vote for her. Almost my whole village will vote for Aunt Suu,” he added.
Some people complained that their names were missing from the voter lists, although it was unclear how many were affected.
“I want to vote for Mother Suu but they haven't given me my ballot paper so I'm here to demand it,” Zin Min Soe told AFP at a polling station.
“They can't just lose my vote,” he said.
The NLD also complained of ballot-paper irregularities, notably that wax had been put over the check box for the party, which could be rubbed off the ballot later to cancel the vote.
It was not immediately clear how widespread irregularities were.
“This is happening around the country,” NLD spokesman Nyan Win told AFP. “I have sent a complaint letter to the union election commission.”
In Yangon, Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi hailed a “victory of the people” after her National League for Democracy (NLD) party declared she had won a seat in parliament for the first time.
“It's usual that NLD members and supporters are happy at this moment,” she said in a statement.
“But words, behaviour and actions that can harm and sadden other parties and people must be avoided completely. I would like all NLD members to ensure that the victory of the people is a dignified victory,” she added.
If confirmed, the win would mark a dramatic reversal in the political fortunes of the veteran activist, who was locked up by the former junta for most of the past 22 years. Official results were expected within a week.
Observers says Myanmar's quasi-civilian government needs Suu Kyi to take a place in parliament to bolster the legitimacy of its political system and spur an easing of Western sanctions against the regime.
But even if her party were to win all 44 seats it contested in Sunday's by-elections, it would not tip the balance of power in a parliament dominated by the military and its political allies.
Thousands of people clapped and cheered outside Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) headquarters in Yangon after the party announced the Nobel Peace Prize laureate had won a parliamentary seat after by-elections.
Some people danced in the street while others wept with joy at the news, which if confirmed would mark a stunning turnaround for the former political prisoner, who was locked up by the former junta for most of the past 22 years.
“We have been waiting for this day for a long time. I'm so happy,” said NLD supporter Kalyar, who goes by one name.
Suu Kyi won an estimated 99 percent of the votes in Kawhmu constituency, according to NLD official Soe Win, based on the party's own tally. There was no independent confirmation and official results were expected within a week.
The party also claimed it was on course to win all 44 seats it contested in Sunday's by-elections, in which a total of 45 seats were at stake — not enough to threaten the army-backed ruling party's huge majority in parliament.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in Istanbul for a meeting of the “Friends of Syria” group, said Washington was committed to supporting the nascent reforms in Burma that have been cautiously welcomed by the West.
“While the results have not yet been announced, the United States congratulates the people who participated, many for their first time in the campaign and election process,” Clinton told reporters.
Observers believe Burma's new quasi-civilian government wanted Suu Kyi to win a place in parliament to burnish its reform credentials and smooth the way for an easing of Western sanctions.
A European Union official invited to observe the vote hailed “very encouraging” signs at the roughly dozen polling stations her team visited.
“However, that's definitely not enough to assume that it is indicative of how the process was conducted in other parts of the country and certainly not enough to talk about credibility of elections,” Malgorzata Wasilewska said.
Many of Suu Kyi's supporters had earlier waited for hours in searing heat to catch a glimpse of the 66-year-old in the rural Kawhmu constituency, two hours' drive from Yangon, where her main rival was a former military doctor with the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Voters, some in traditional ethnic Karen dress, queued patiently to cast their votes. In stark contrast to life under the junta, many openly expressed their support and affection for “The Lady”.
“There's only been one person for us for 20 years,” said Tin Zaw Win.
“We believe in her and want to vote for her. Almost my whole village will vote for Aunt Suu,” he added.
Some people complained that their names were missing from the voter lists, although it was unclear how many were affected.
“I want to vote for Mother Suu but they haven't given me my ballot paper so I'm here to demand it,” Zin Min Soe told AFP at a polling station.
“They can't just lose my vote,” he said.
The NLD also complained of ballot-paper irregularities, notably that wax had been put over the check box for the party, which could be rubbed off the ballot later to cancel the vote.
It was not immediately clear how widespread irregularities were.
“This is happening around the country,” NLD spokesman Nyan Win told AFP. “I have sent a complaint letter to the union election commission.”
In Yangon, Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi hailed a “victory of the people” after her National League for Democracy (NLD) party declared she had won a seat in parliament for the first time.
“It's usual that NLD members and supporters are happy at this moment,” she said in a statement.
“But words, behaviour and actions that can harm and sadden other parties and people must be avoided completely. I would like all NLD members to ensure that the victory of the people is a dignified victory,” she added.
If confirmed, the win would mark a dramatic reversal in the political fortunes of the veteran activist, who was locked up by the former junta for most of the past 22 years. Official results were expected within a week.
Observers says Myanmar's quasi-civilian government needs Suu Kyi to take a place in parliament to bolster the legitimacy of its political system and spur an easing of Western sanctions against the regime.
But even if her party were to win all 44 seats it contested in Sunday's by-elections, it would not tip the balance of power in a parliament dominated by the military and its political allies.
