This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/nov/09/myanmar-elections-aung-san-suu-kyi-hints-at-victory
The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 23 | Version 24 |
|---|---|
| Myanmar elections: strong start for Aung San Suu Kyi's party as first seats declared - as it happened | Myanmar elections: strong start for Aung San Suu Kyi's party as first seats declared - as it happened |
| (30 days later) | |
| 5.01pm GMT | 5.01pm GMT |
| 17:01 | 17:01 |
| The US has given a cautious welcome to the election. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel told reporters initial signs from polling day were that there had not been widespread voter intimidation but warned difficult times could still be ahead. | The US has given a cautious welcome to the election. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel told reporters initial signs from polling day were that there had not been widespread voter intimidation but warned difficult times could still be ahead. |
| One election after 50 plus years of military dictatorship is not going to restore democracy, but clearly this was a hell of a step forward for the democratic process in Burma. I think that the key thing now is to get through the next several weeks, which will be complicated and delicate and an important time. | One election after 50 plus years of military dictatorship is not going to restore democracy, but clearly this was a hell of a step forward for the democratic process in Burma. I think that the key thing now is to get through the next several weeks, which will be complicated and delicate and an important time. |
| 3.48pm GMT | 3.48pm GMT |
| 15:48 | 15:48 |
| The NLD claims to have swept all but 10 seats in the lower house in four of the fourteen states where results are known. These are still NLD announcements, not official results. | The NLD claims to have swept all but 10 seats in the lower house in four of the fourteen states where results are known. These are still NLD announcements, not official results. |
| Yangon: 44 of the 45 lower house and all 12 upper house seats | Yangon: 44 of the 45 lower house and all 12 upper house seats |
| Ayeyarwaddy: All 26 lower house seats and all 12 upper house seats | Ayeyarwaddy: All 26 lower house seats and all 12 upper house seats |
| Bago: 27 of the 28 lower house seats and all 12 upper house seats | Bago: 27 of the 28 lower house seats and all 12 upper house seats |
| Mon: 11 of the 19 lower house seats and all 10 of the seats in the upper house | Mon: 11 of the 19 lower house seats and all 10 of the seats in the upper house |
| 3.04pm GMT | 3.04pm GMT |
| 15:04 | 15:04 |
| The NLD is predicting it has won in more than 97% of the first 119 seats to be counted (almost a quarter of the total). This has not been confirmed and won’t be for least several hours. | The NLD is predicting it has won in more than 97% of the first 119 seats to be counted (almost a quarter of the total). This has not been confirmed and won’t be for least several hours. |
| NLD stats so far. Lower House 81/83 Upper House 35/36 . They've "declared"Yangon Bago Mon. Stress that this is one party calling their wins | NLD stats so far. Lower House 81/83 Upper House 35/36 . They've "declared"Yangon Bago Mon. Stress that this is one party calling their wins |
| But the celebrations are underway in Yangdon. | But the celebrations are underway in Yangdon. |
| Kids on cars driving through Myanmar NLD rally. pic.twitter.com/g7TKOMjG3w | Kids on cars driving through Myanmar NLD rally. pic.twitter.com/g7TKOMjG3w |
| We’re going to pause the blog for now, but we will update when more official results are announced. | We’re going to pause the blog for now, but we will update when more official results are announced. |
| 2.55pm GMT | 2.55pm GMT |
| 14:55 | 14:55 |
| Here’s a summary of where things currently stand. | Here’s a summary of where things currently stand. |
| 2.46pm GMT | 2.46pm GMT |
| 14:46 | 14:46 |
| The election commission is really stretching this out. In the third round of results it only announced 16 seats - all but three for the NLD. | The election commission is really stretching this out. In the third round of results it only announced 16 seats - all but three for the NLD. |
| 9pm. 16 Lower House seats announced. NLD claims 13, USDP 2, Wa Democratic Party 1 #MyanmarElection https://t.co/MBWUSnA7f7 | 9pm. 16 Lower House seats announced. NLD claims 13, USDP 2, Wa Democratic Party 1 #MyanmarElection https://t.co/MBWUSnA7f7 |
| Myanmar Times names the sucdessful candidates from the ruling UD | Myanmar Times names the sucdessful candidates from the ruling UD |
| #MyanmarElection Live: UEC calls Mandalay seat for the USDP's Dr. Maung Thin in Meikhtila | more coming at https://t.co/PTdDC6FiC2 | #MyanmarElection Live: UEC calls Mandalay seat for the USDP's Dr. Maung Thin in Meikhtila | more coming at https://t.co/PTdDC6FiC2 |
| #BREAKING #MyanmarElection Live: USDP takes another seat, as U Sai Sam wins Pyithu hluttaw seat in Mon Gyang, Shan State | #BREAKING #MyanmarElection Live: USDP takes another seat, as U Sai Sam wins Pyithu hluttaw seat in Mon Gyang, Shan State |
| The next official announcement will be in a couple of hours at 11pm local time (1630GMT). | The next official announcement will be in a couple of hours at 11pm local time (1630GMT). |
| And yes, more results at 11 PM! | And yes, more results at 11 PM! |
| 2.29pm GMT | 2.29pm GMT |
| 14:29 | 14:29 |
| Up Periscope again for the third round of official results from Myanmar election commission. | Up Periscope again for the third round of official results from Myanmar election commission. |
| LIVE on #Periscope: Results Announcement, 9 PM https://t.co/YPN45tsxVS | LIVE on #Periscope: Results Announcement, 9 PM https://t.co/YPN45tsxVS |
| 2.21pm GMT | 2.21pm GMT |
| 14:21 | 14:21 |
| The next round of official results are expected in the next 15 minutes, but the NDP has jumped the gun by reporting victories in 44 of the 45 seats in the lower house. So far it has taken all 32 seats announced in the lower house – all in Yangon. | The next round of official results are expected in the next 15 minutes, but the NDP has jumped the gun by reporting victories in 44 of the 45 seats in the lower house. So far it has taken all 32 seats announced in the lower house – all in Yangon. |
| AP reports: | AP reports: |
| Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party says it has won 44 of the 45 lower seats for Yangon in Myanmar’s parliamentary elections. | Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party says it has won 44 of the 45 lower seats for Yangon in Myanmar’s parliamentary elections. |
| The National League for Democracy announced Monday that it has also swept the upper house, winning all 12 seats for Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city. | The National League for Democracy announced Monday that it has also swept the upper house, winning all 12 seats for Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city. |
| The results were not confirmed by the government’s Election Commission, which has been releasing the results at a slow place. However, the NLD has posted representatives at counting centers who are able to give an accurate tally. | The results were not confirmed by the government’s Election Commission, which has been releasing the results at a slow place. However, the NLD has posted representatives at counting centers who are able to give an accurate tally. |
| The results indicate that the NLD is heading toward a landslide victory in Sunday’s elections, and that it could expect similar outcomes from other parts of the country. | The results indicate that the NLD is heading toward a landslide victory in Sunday’s elections, and that it could expect similar outcomes from other parts of the country. |
| The NLD has also announced big wins in Bago, just north of Yangon according to the BBC’s Jonah Fisher. | The NLD has also announced big wins in Bago, just north of Yangon according to the BBC’s Jonah Fisher. |
| Myanmar opposition NLD calling more results for themselves. In Bago lower house 27 of 28. All 12 Bago upper. Unofficial. | Myanmar opposition NLD calling more results for themselves. In Bago lower house 27 of 28. All 12 Bago upper. Unofficial. |
| 2.05pm GMT | 2.05pm GMT |
| 14:05 | 14:05 |
| Oliver Holmes | Oliver Holmes |
| Now that night has fallen many NLD supporters have made their way to the party’s Yangon headquarters, where huge screens and speakers showed the official and NLD-collected results, writes Oliver Holmes in Yangon. | Now that night has fallen many NLD supporters have made their way to the party’s Yangon headquarters, where huge screens and speakers showed the official and NLD-collected results, writes Oliver Holmes in Yangon. |
| Streets stalls sold red flags with golden peacocks – the NLD banner – and smaller stickers that people stuck to their faces. Children wearing red headbands were hoisted by their parents onto parked cars to get a better view over the crowds. People snacked on pineapple and melon chunks bought from stalls on wheels. | Streets stalls sold red flags with golden peacocks – the NLD banner – and smaller stickers that people stuck to their faces. Children wearing red headbands were hoisted by their parents onto parked cars to get a better view over the crowds. People snacked on pineapple and melon chunks bought from stalls on wheels. |
| Kyaw Zaw Shwe, 48, said he left Myanmar for Singapore five years agoto find a better salary as a chemical engineer but had come back to vote. | Kyaw Zaw Shwe, 48, said he left Myanmar for Singapore five years agoto find a better salary as a chemical engineer but had come back to vote. |
| “There has been no change in the past five years,” he said, when asked about sweeping political reforms implemented by the quasi-civilian government that took over from the military junta. | “There has been no change in the past five years,” he said, when asked about sweeping political reforms implemented by the quasi-civilian government that took over from the military junta. |
| “I voted in the 1990 election,” he said, referring to polls that were won by the NLD but later annulled by the generals. “In 1990, we kept quiet. We celebrated but amongst ourselves,” he said, looking at the crowds, a rare sight in a country that suffered decades ofoppressive rule. | “I voted in the 1990 election,” he said, referring to polls that were won by the NLD but later annulled by the generals. “In 1990, we kept quiet. We celebrated but amongst ourselves,” he said, looking at the crowds, a rare sight in a country that suffered decades ofoppressive rule. |
| “Suu Kyi can lead. I believe in her, the past five years she’s been working on renovating the Rangoon hospital,” he said, using Yangon’s former name. | “Suu Kyi can lead. I believe in her, the past five years she’s been working on renovating the Rangoon hospital,” he said, using Yangon’s former name. |
| The man was interrupted as another man, wearing an NLD flag as a cape, walked over to him. | The man was interrupted as another man, wearing an NLD flag as a cape, walked over to him. |
| “Hello!” screamed the man, who identified himself as Myo Min Win. | “Hello!” screamed the man, who identified himself as Myo Min Win. |
| “We were friends in Singapore because I worked their too,” Myo Min Win said. “We haven’t seen each other for years.” | “We were friends in Singapore because I worked their too,” Myo Min Win said. “We haven’t seen each other for years.” |
| They started discussing the election with vigour, both glowing red from the reflection of the giant LED screens. “I’m only 34, so I wasn’t old enough in 1990 to vote. This is the first time for me,” he told his friend. | They started discussing the election with vigour, both glowing red from the reflection of the giant LED screens. “I’m only 34, so I wasn’t old enough in 1990 to vote. This is the first time for me,” he told his friend. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.06pm GMT | at 2.06pm GMT |
| 1.52pm GMT | 1.52pm GMT |
| 13:52 | 13:52 |
| More confident predictions by the NLD via the BBC’s Jonah Fisher. | More confident predictions by the NLD via the BBC’s Jonah Fisher. |
| NLD say they have won 44 or 45 lower house seats in Yangon and all 12 upper house. Unofficial but in some ways expected. | NLD say they have won 44 or 45 lower house seats in Yangon and all 12 upper house. Unofficial but in some ways expected. |
| NLD announce that Aung San Suu Kyi wins her constituency. Unofficial but you can put your house on it. | NLD announce that Aung San Suu Kyi wins her constituency. Unofficial but you can put your house on it. |
| BBC Burmese reports NLD won all upper house seats in Chin state quoting Chin media. | BBC Burmese reports NLD won all upper house seats in Chin state quoting Chin media. |
| 1.47pm GMT | 1.47pm GMT |
| 13:47 | 13:47 |
| NLD supporters have the victory T-shirts ready. | NLD supporters have the victory T-shirts ready. |
| Smart. NLD merchandise at party HQ rally. #myanmarvotes pic.twitter.com/LDTmHmOU3i | Smart. NLD merchandise at party HQ rally. #myanmarvotes pic.twitter.com/LDTmHmOU3i |
| That was quick! A new NLD T-shirt appears outside the party's Yangon HQ. The old T-shirts read "We must win." pic.twitter.com/ZnoChnK0Kn | That was quick! A new NLD T-shirt appears outside the party's Yangon HQ. The old T-shirts read "We must win." pic.twitter.com/ZnoChnK0Kn |
| 1.45pm GMT | 1.45pm GMT |
| 13:45 | 13:45 |
| Simon Tisdall | Simon Tisdall |
| It is the hardline members of the old guard who ran the junta before 2011 and treated Aung San Suu Kyi as a mortal enemy who hold the key to what happens next, writes Guardian foreign affairs columnist Simon Tisdall. | It is the hardline members of the old guard who ran the junta before 2011 and treated Aung San Suu Kyi as a mortal enemy who hold the key to what happens next, writes Guardian foreign affairs columnist Simon Tisdall. |
| Belatedly recognising the enormous damage caused by the country’s political and economic isolation, the junta installed Thein Sein four years ago as the new, supposedly human face of Myanmar. Now they will blame his moderate reformism for their crushing defeat. | Belatedly recognising the enormous damage caused by the country’s political and economic isolation, the junta installed Thein Sein four years ago as the new, supposedly human face of Myanmar. Now they will blame his moderate reformism for their crushing defeat. |
| The old guard will also fear a settling of scores if their former foes and victims take power, despite Aung San Suu Kyi’s conciliatory words and non-violent approach. | The old guard will also fear a settling of scores if their former foes and victims take power, despite Aung San Suu Kyi’s conciliatory words and non-violent approach. |
| General Than Shwe, the strongman leader of the junta for nearly two decades, has more to worry about than most. The regime of which he was a part committed appalling human rights abuses. According to a Human Rights Watch report on the aftermath of the 1990 election, use of torture was widespread. | General Than Shwe, the strongman leader of the junta for nearly two decades, has more to worry about than most. The regime of which he was a part committed appalling human rights abuses. According to a Human Rights Watch report on the aftermath of the 1990 election, use of torture was widespread. |
| Even after stepping aside in 2011, Than Shwe was widely believed to be still pulling the strings behind the scenes. He and other generals live in a secluded compound in a restricted military zone including bunkers and tunnels in Naypyitaw, the capital city he built to replace Yangon, reportedly on the advice of astrologers. | Even after stepping aside in 2011, Than Shwe was widely believed to be still pulling the strings behind the scenes. He and other generals live in a secluded compound in a restricted military zone including bunkers and tunnels in Naypyitaw, the capital city he built to replace Yangon, reportedly on the advice of astrologers. |
| The baleful influence of the old guard aside, the fact the army still holds many political aces spells trouble for National League for Democracy and its high-profile leader. | The baleful influence of the old guard aside, the fact the army still holds many political aces spells trouble for National League for Democracy and its high-profile leader. |
| Suu Kyi. Even if the NLD wins a large percentage of the 664 parliamentary seats, the USDP, meaning the military, will automatically retain 25% of them under the terms of the junta’s gerrymandered constitution. | Suu Kyi. Even if the NLD wins a large percentage of the 664 parliamentary seats, the USDP, meaning the military, will automatically retain 25% of them under the terms of the junta’s gerrymandered constitution. |
| Despite her apparent victory, Suu Kyi is barred from becoming president because she married a foreigner, the late Oxford historian, Michael Aris, and has two British sons. | Despite her apparent victory, Suu Kyi is barred from becoming president because she married a foreigner, the late Oxford historian, Michael Aris, and has two British sons. |
| Crucially, the military will retain several key ministerial posts despite looking set to lose the election. These portfolios include the defence, interior and border and police ministries. Under the constitution, the military can also take direct overall control of the government, including management of the economy, if it deems it necessary. | Crucially, the military will retain several key ministerial posts despite looking set to lose the election. These portfolios include the defence, interior and border and police ministries. Under the constitution, the military can also take direct overall control of the government, including management of the economy, if it deems it necessary. |
| As matters stand, the military’s National Defence and Security Council is a more powerful body than parliament. Thus a NLD government would have no say, for example, if the army decided to continue attacks on ethnic minority groups and persecution of Myanmar’s disenfranchised Rohingya Muslim minority. This has led campaigners to suggest real power will remain where it has always been, despite the NLD’s success. | As matters stand, the military’s National Defence and Security Council is a more powerful body than parliament. Thus a NLD government would have no say, for example, if the army decided to continue attacks on ethnic minority groups and persecution of Myanmar’s disenfranchised Rohingya Muslim minority. This has led campaigners to suggest real power will remain where it has always been, despite the NLD’s success. |
| Managing this delicate situation will require a high degree of political skill and subtlety on Suu Kyi’s part if she is to keep the military on-side, and in barracks, while addressing Myanmar’s many divisions and problems. | Managing this delicate situation will require a high degree of political skill and subtlety on Suu Kyi’s part if she is to keep the military on-side, and in barracks, while addressing Myanmar’s many divisions and problems. |
| Her unmatched international standing and her proud lineage, as the daughter of Aung San, Myanmar’s independence leader and founder of the Burmese army, will help. But a host of other issues, such as Buddhist chauvinism, ongoing political repression, and high poverty levels, will complicate her task. | Her unmatched international standing and her proud lineage, as the daughter of Aung San, Myanmar’s independence leader and founder of the Burmese army, will help. But a host of other issues, such as Buddhist chauvinism, ongoing political repression, and high poverty levels, will complicate her task. |
| After a quarter of a century in the wilderness, Aung San Suu Kyi looks set to have made a glorious comeback. Whatever the final election tally, she has given a memorable thrashing to the generals who persecuted her and so many others for so long. But she will not be able to govern without them. | After a quarter of a century in the wilderness, Aung San Suu Kyi looks set to have made a glorious comeback. Whatever the final election tally, she has given a memorable thrashing to the generals who persecuted her and so many others for so long. But she will not be able to govern without them. |
| 1.33pm GMT | 1.33pm GMT |
| 13:33 | 13:33 |
| Notable early victors include the NLD’s Naing Ngan Linn, who was injured in sword attack while out canvassing late last month in the Tharketa township on Yangon’s fringes. | Notable early victors include the NLD’s Naing Ngan Linn, who was injured in sword attack while out canvassing late last month in the Tharketa township on Yangon’s fringes. |
| The sitting MP was taken to hospital with deep gashes to his arms and face after the attack, apparently by a drunken local gang, in what the party described as the worst incident of violence during its campaign. | The sitting MP was taken to hospital with deep gashes to his arms and face after the attack, apparently by a drunken local gang, in what the party described as the worst incident of violence during its campaign. |
| He was back on the campaign trail just a few days later, AFP reports. | He was back on the campaign trail just a few days later, AFP reports. |
| Another NLD candidate, Saw Thura Aung, looks set to be Myanmar’s first MP with a disability according to the Irrawaddy. | Another NLD candidate, Saw Thura Aung, looks set to be Myanmar’s first MP with a disability according to the Irrawaddy. |
| Saw Thura Aung looks set to become the country’s first known lawmaker living with disability https://t.co/Qwi2uXFvZj pic.twitter.com/AOaoxw5I4n | Saw Thura Aung looks set to become the country’s first known lawmaker living with disability https://t.co/Qwi2uXFvZj pic.twitter.com/AOaoxw5I4n |