Breaking News

Suu Kyi's National League wins majority in Myanmar

13 Nov 2015 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The National League for Democracy has won a majority in Myanmar's historic general election ending decades of military-backed rule, the BBC said.

With more than 80% of seats declared, Aung San Suu Kyi's party has more than the two-thirds it needs to control parliament and choose the president. But a quarter of seats are allocated to the military, which means it will remain hugely influential.

Myanmar's constitution means Ms. Suu Kyi cannot now become president. It specifically bars anyone whose children were born foreign nationals from holding the job. Both her sons were born British. But Ms. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who spent decades under military-imposed house arrest, has insisted she would lead the country anyway if her party won.

Sunday's election was the first openly contested poll in Myanmar in 25 years. It was widely seen as a fair vote though there were reports of irregularities, and hundreds of thousands of people - including the Muslim Rohingya minority, who are not recognised as citizens - were denied voting rights.

About 30 million people were eligible to vote and turnout was estimated at about 80%. The ruling military-backed Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) - which won the last, widely criticised election five years ago - has so far gained about 5% of seats contested.

Breaking News

Suu Kyi's National League wins majority in Myanmar

Most Popular Articles

More arrests of lawyers, politicians and senior police officers

Former National Lotteries Board Chairperson Shyamila Perera arrested

Girl visited her lover, gang raped by lover and his friends

Historic locomotive move between Kandy and Peradeniya without tracks

Updated World Test Championship standings after West Indies’ record win over Sri Lanka

12-hour water cut in Colombo and suburbs on Saturday

Latest News

Government committed to equipping children with modern skills: PM

Road access restricted in Riverston, Hatton–Nuwara Eliya road partially blocked: DMC

Train services remain suspended on Mannar, upcountry lines: DMC

A/L 2025 re-examination results released

Ukraine hits major oil terminal in Russia’s St Petersburg