Myanmar Opposition Wins Historic Majority

At a news briefing later, White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes noted broad participation by Burma’s people and a commitment by its rulers to abide by the results. And the military looks set to devise a formula that will effectively share power with the democratic opposition.

Despite this, the election was seen as the first openly contested poll in Myanmar – also known as Burma – in 25 years. But Suu Kyi has said that may change once her party is in power.

But the incoming results confirmed a landslide win for the opposition and a resounding rejection of military rule in Burma.

“It is time that we must take a leaf from what university students in South Africa did a few weeks ago when they successfully staged a peaceful and democratic demonstration against fee increases…”

The ruling Communist Party invited her for a China visit in June, where she met President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, the traditional greeting place for foreign leaders.

That control will now be tested.

The NLD has also won significant majorities in the regional and state assemblies. So far 80 percent of seats have been declared but the NLD already holds 19 more than it needed to win.

The Union Election Board has been excruciatingly slow in announcing official results, though the victory has generally been a foregone conclusion, with both the NLD earlier claiming victory and the ruling party informally conceding.

For many, the most glaring offense is the clause that bars anyone with foreign family members from being president. The laureate’s late husband was a British national, as are their two sons.

While a National League majority assures it of being able to elect the president, Suu Kyi remains barred from the office by a constitutional provision inserted by the military before it transferred power to Thein Sein’s civilian government in 2011.

The underwhelming pinnacle of the day’s celebrations has so far been the unceremonious unveiling of a giant piece of graffiti artwork which depicts Daw Suu Kyi and the phrase “The Way We Trust”.

Election results on Friday showed a resounding rejection of military rule in Myanmar. Last week, she told reporters that she would lead the government in a position “above the president”.

Under Thein Sein, a former general, the government unexpectedly took steps toward reform.

The President of the United States, Barack Obama, phoned President Thein Sein to commend him for the successful conduct for Myanmar’s historic election.

That journey is not yet complete. There are questions also about how the NLD will respond to the fight for their rights by the Muslim Rohingya.

Her victory marks a new era for Myanmar. Military generals running the country have engaged in “crony capitalism” for years but have admitted defeat at the polls and are prepared to hand over power.