Myanmar promised smooth handover

Myanmar President Thein Sein attends a meeting with representatives of political parties at Yangon region government office in Yangon, Myanmar Sunday, November 15, 2015.

Despite the landslide, Suu Kyi can not become president herself under a constitution drafted by the military before the end of almost 50 years of rule.

Wielding an overwhelming mandate from Myanmar’s voters, Aung San Suu Kyi has power in her sights after a quarter century of democratic struggle against the army, but analysts say building bridges with former military foes is vital to her success.

Myanmar President Thein Sein is promising a smooth transition to a new government, in an attempt to remove fears the military will once again ignore the results of a free election.

There is however, somewhat of a view that this might not happen, with the norm, really not being the norm in a state that has generations knowing nothing other than military rule.

“Frankly, the NLD sweeping such a huge victory isn’t good for the country”, said Sai Nyunt Lwin, the secretary general of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), a party representing Myanmar’s largest minority group. The issue has ramifications for Myanmar’s worldwide relations as well, with the current government accused of inaction and even complicity in what a few call genocide of the Rohingya.

Or in BBC News: “Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD has won election majority”. The parliament is scheduled to convene in January and to select a president early next year. But they decided that they “can manage it now”, Clapp said, and they are prepared to hand the reins of government to the opposition, confident that the 2008 constitution assures the military’s continued grip on key levers of power.

President Koirala extends best wishes for her in her mission of advancing national unity and reconciliation within an overall framework of democratic polity and put the country on the path of inclusive development. She has said she will run the country anyway, through a proxy chosen by her party.

Nyan Win, a spokesman for Suu Kyi’s opposition National League for Democracy party, confirmed that it was a first for “The Lady”.

But in her work as an advocate for ethnic minorities in Burma, Han recognizes that the fight to restore stability to the country is far from over. Government hospitals and schools have suffered from years of neglect.

“Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will speak to USDP members soon”.

Worldwide election observers from the European Union said the election was “well-run” but expressed concern over the disenfranchisement of Muslims.

“The election is the result of our reform process and, as we promised, we were able to hold it very successfully”, he told a meeting of political parties in Yangon in his first public appearance since the polls.