Burma NLD Claims Aung San Suu Kyi Election Victory

By Daniel Schearf

The party of Burma’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi says she has won her bid for a seat in parliament despite voting irregularities in Sunday’s by-election.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s supporters celebrated at her National League for Democracy headquarters after the party announced she won.

Lawyer Daw Nwe Ni Aung says she believes the woman known affectionately as “The Lady” will make life better in Burma when she enters parliament. “I believe she will do the best things for the people. She will fulfill the requirements of the people who have suffered so much,” she said.

Hotel worker Yamin says only Aung San Suu Kyi can meet Burma’s needs. “I believe all thing she said during her campaign. I believe she will do all that she said,” he said.

Despite the early celebration from NLD supporters, there were allegations of voting irregularities. Ma Mee Mee is with a civil society group monitoring the vote. “All over the country there are people who cannot vote although they are registered. There are additional votes, which is people who have voted twice, faulty ballots with wax on them, dead people who have voted,” he said.

Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD did not take part in the flawed 2010 election as the military government that ruled Burma kept her under house arrest.

But her release and the surprising reforms from Burma’s military-backed government raise hopes that she can work toward democracy alongside those who for decades suppressed it.