This morning’s 9am announcement of results by Burma’s election commission did not deliver as expected the fatal blow to the military-backed government.
While the commission declared NLD victories in regional assembles around the country, it did not announce the results of any Upper or Lower House constituencies.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s party is therefore left waiting just one seat to attain the ‘magic number’, which is now 328 seats in both houses of parliament, a number which would give them a 67 percent majority in the election, and more importantly a 51 percent majority in parliament – the military being automatically appointed 25 percent of seats in both houses.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the people of Burma and both major parties for their conduct during the landmark elections.
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“The Secretary-General warmly congratulates the people of Myanmar for their peaceful, dignified and enthusiastic participation in the historic elections of 8 November. He welcomes this as a significant achievement in Myanmar’s democratic transition. He acknowledges, in particular, the courage and vision of President Thein Sein whose leadership in the reform process has helped achieve progress to this defining stage. The Secretary-General also commends the Union Election Commission, political parties, domestic and international observers and all others who tirelessly contributed to making these elections such a significant success. While saying this, he is regretfully aware that a large number of voters from minority communities, in particular the Rohingya, were denied the right to vote and some were disqualified as candidates,” a statement from the UN in New York read last night.
“The Secretary-General extends his warm congratulations to the National League for Democracy (NLD) and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for their landmark performance at the elections and to the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) for its dignified acceptance of the verdict of the people. The Army’s support to the conduct of credible and transparent elections as well as its acceptance of the results, have also been uniquely important.”
Read more election news HERE
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