MYANMAR OPPOSITION CLAIMS LANDMARK SUU KYIWIN
YANGON, April 1, 2012 (AFP) - 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 armybacked ruling party's huge majority in parliament.
Observers believe Myanmar's new reform-minded 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 66year-old in the rural Kawh- mu 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.