Aung San Suu Kyi's Party Wins Myanmar Elections

With the official results of Myanmar's parliamentary elections announced, the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, has secured its victory, ending decades of military rule in the country. According to statistics released by the Myanmar Election Commission on Friday, November 13, the NLD has so far claimed 238 seats in the lower house and 126 seats in the upper house. This event, described by global media as a political earthquake in Myanmar, occurs exactly five years after Aung San Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest. Supporters of the NLD are celebrating. Myanmar's laws prevent Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president due to her British citizenship through her husband and children, but her party can now choose the next president of the country. Aung San Suu Kyi had previously stated that if the NLD won this election, she would hold a position higher than that of the president. The latest official results show that the ruling party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), backed by the military, has so far obtained 40 seats across both parliaments, suffering a significant defeat compared to the NLD's 364 seats. A party that can secure 329 seats in both parliaments will be recognized as having a majority. The ruling party in Myanmar accepted its defeat four days prior, despite the official election results not yet being announced. This election, held on Sunday, November 8, is considered the first free election in Myanmar in 25 years, although over 500,000 members of the Rohingya Muslim minority were barred from participating. It is estimated that nearly 1.1 million Muslims live in Myanmar. The power transition process in Myanmar will take place in early 2016 when the new parliament is formed.