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Myanmar awaits results of landmark election Myanmar awaits results of landmark election
(about 1 hour later)
People in Myanmar are awaiting the results of the first openly contested national election in 25 years.People in Myanmar are awaiting the results of the first openly contested national election in 25 years.
Votes are still being counted, and officials say preliminary results are now not expected until later on Monday. Votes are still being counted, and preliminary results are now not expected until Monday evening.
But Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) is widely expected to make sweeping gains, ending decades of military control. But Aung San Suu Kyi has hinted at victory for her National League for Democracy (NLD), saying: "I think you all have the idea of the results."
The military-backed Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) has been in power since 2011.The military-backed Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) has been in power since 2011.
If the NLD wins, it would end decades of military control.
Ms Suu Kyi was speaking to reporters at the NLD's headquarters in Yangon. She also said "it is still a bit early to congratulate our candidates who will be the winners".
In one of the earliest and most significant known results, the ruling party's Shwe Mann, who is speaker of the lower house of parliament, conceded defeat in his constituency to the NLD candidate.In one of the earliest and most significant known results, the ruling party's Shwe Mann, who is speaker of the lower house of parliament, conceded defeat in his constituency to the NLD candidate.
Myanmar's historic electionMyanmar's historic election
In pictures: Day of excitement for votersIn pictures: Day of excitement for voters
Decision-making in the Delta: Jonathan Head on the small but crucial town of HinthadaDecision-making in the Delta: Jonathan Head on the small but crucial town of Hinthada
Aung San Suu Kyi, profiled: International symbol of peaceful resistanceAung San Suu Kyi, profiled: International symbol of peaceful resistance
'Abandoned people': What rights do the Rohingya Muslims have?'Abandoned people': What rights do the Rohingya Muslims have?
Elections explained: Why does this vote matter?Elections explained: Why does this vote matter?
Tens of thousands of officials and volunteers have been counting the votes, first in each of the 50,000 polling stations, then tallying them in constituency offices of the Election Commission.Tens of thousands of officials and volunteers have been counting the votes, first in each of the 50,000 polling stations, then tallying them in constituency offices of the Election Commission.
The results will not be known for at least a few days, and the president will only be chosen in February or possibly later.The results will not be known for at least a few days, and the president will only be chosen in February or possibly later.
International observers say the voting process was generally smooth, with some isolated irregularities.International observers say the voting process was generally smooth, with some isolated irregularities.
And hundreds of thousands of people - including minority Rohingya Muslims - were also denied voting rights, raising concerns about the fairness of the poll.And hundreds of thousands of people - including minority Rohingya Muslims - were also denied voting rights, raising concerns about the fairness of the poll.
US Secretary of State John Kerry hailed the elections as a step towards democracy, but added that they were far from perfect.US Secretary of State John Kerry hailed the elections as a step towards democracy, but added that they were far from perfect.
Analysis: Jonathan Head, BBC News, YangonAnalysis: Jonathan Head, BBC News, Yangon
After the euphoria of a historic election day, now the potentially fractious count.After the euphoria of a historic election day, now the potentially fractious count.
Already the opposition NLD is complaining about the way large numbers of votes cast in advance of polling day were brought into the count late, apparently favouring the incumbent USDP.Already the opposition NLD is complaining about the way large numbers of votes cast in advance of polling day were brought into the count late, apparently favouring the incumbent USDP.
The Election Commission has also delayed its first official announcement by several hours, although this is probably down to predictable logistical challenges.The Election Commission has also delayed its first official announcement by several hours, although this is probably down to predictable logistical challenges.
Human rights groups have already criticised the Election Commission's lack of independence. Election monitors have raised concerns over the absence of agreed procedures for resolving disputed results.Human rights groups have already criticised the Election Commission's lack of independence. Election monitors have raised concerns over the absence of agreed procedures for resolving disputed results.
So a number of big questions still hang over this momentous turning point for Myanmar.So a number of big questions still hang over this momentous turning point for Myanmar.
Will the official results give Aung San Suu Kyi's party the two-thirds of contested seats it needs to form the next government? If they don't, will she accept the result? Her supporters are already convinced they must have won.Will the official results give Aung San Suu Kyi's party the two-thirds of contested seats it needs to form the next government? If they don't, will she accept the result? Her supporters are already convinced they must have won.
Will the inevitable flaws in the electoral process be deemed small enough not to have compromised the result?Will the inevitable flaws in the electoral process be deemed small enough not to have compromised the result?
And how will Ms Suu Kyi and the military, historic foes, manage the protracted negotiations which must precede the formation of the next government whatever the election result?And how will Ms Suu Kyi and the military, historic foes, manage the protracted negotiations which must precede the formation of the next government whatever the election result?
Vast turnoutVast turnout
About 30 million people were eligible to vote in Sunday's election in Myanmar, which is also known as Burma.About 30 million people were eligible to vote in Sunday's election in Myanmar, which is also known as Burma.
Turnout has been estimated at about 80%, in what were the first national elections since a nominally civilian government took power in 2011.Turnout has been estimated at about 80%, in what were the first national elections since a nominally civilian government took power in 2011.
More than 6,000 candidates from more than 90 parties were vying for parliamentary seats.More than 6,000 candidates from more than 90 parties were vying for parliamentary seats.
A quarter of seats are reserved for unelected military representatives, who are expected to side with the USDP.A quarter of seats are reserved for unelected military representatives, who are expected to side with the USDP.
The NLD, led by former political prisoner and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, therefore needs to win 67% of contested seats in order to gain a majority and be able to appoint the president.The NLD, led by former political prisoner and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, therefore needs to win 67% of contested seats in order to gain a majority and be able to appoint the president.
"I'm really happy because from what I heard the NLD is winning. I couldn't sleep until 11 or 12 because I was looking everywhere for results," San Win, a 40-year-old newspaper vendor told the AP news agency."I'm really happy because from what I heard the NLD is winning. I couldn't sleep until 11 or 12 because I was looking everywhere for results," San Win, a 40-year-old newspaper vendor told the AP news agency.
BBC reporters in Myanmar on Twitter:BBC reporters in Myanmar on Twitter:
Jonathan Head: "So Suu Kyi never showed at NLD HQ. Near impossible to get through crowd. They partied hard anyway. Just voting has been such a big deal."Jonathan Head: "So Suu Kyi never showed at NLD HQ. Near impossible to get through crowd. They partied hard anyway. Just voting has been such a big deal."
Jonah Fisher: "Delays automatically arouse suspicions but there is considerable bureaucracy involved in verifying and declaring too.."Jonah Fisher: "Delays automatically arouse suspicions but there is considerable bureaucracy involved in verifying and declaring too.."
James Menendez: "So 16 hours after polls closed, here we are with the results so far of #Myanmar Election... possibly nothing until 3pm."James Menendez: "So 16 hours after polls closed, here we are with the results so far of #Myanmar Election... possibly nothing until 3pm."
Fergal Keane: "Announcement of 1st election results delayed by six hours. No reason given but no obvious grounds for unease."Fergal Keane: "Announcement of 1st election results delayed by six hours. No reason given but no obvious grounds for unease."
Ms Suu Kyi cannot become president herself, because of a clause in the constitution which bars anyone with foreign children from holding the post. Her two sons, with her late husband, are British.Ms Suu Kyi cannot become president herself, because of a clause in the constitution which bars anyone with foreign children from holding the post. Her two sons, with her late husband, are British.
Despite this, she has insisted she will lead the country and be "above the president" if the NLD takes power.Despite this, she has insisted she will lead the country and be "above the president" if the NLD takes power.
Current President Thein Sein has said he will accept the election result.Current President Thein Sein has said he will accept the election result.