The NLD quoted Ye Htut as saying: “In accordance with the Union Election Commission’s election results announcement, I would like to congratulate you, the NLD, for leading the race for parliamentary seats, “the Myanmar Times reported”.
Advertisement
Of the 491 seats being contested in both houses of parliament, upper and lower, 182 have been announced so far.
Earlier Ms Suu Kyi seized the initiative days before formal declaration of the poll results, telling Myanmar’s Army Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing that “citizens have expressed their will in the election”.
Before the landmark poll Thein Sein vowed his party and the powerful army would respect the election result.
One of the biggest sources of tension between Suu Kyi and the military is a clause in the constitution that bars her from the presidency because her children are foreign nationals.
Two years ago Mr Obama became the first U.S. president to visit Myanmar in a show of confidence in the opening-up of the country.
The message helps remove lingering concerns that the military, which has a large influence over the ruling party, may deny the NLD power, as it did after elections in 1990.
“Congratulations…to the chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi and her party for gathering the support of the people”, read a statement posted on the Facebook page of the presidential spokesman. She said she will be “above the president” for which her party has a candidate whose identity has not been revealed.
Ms Suu Kyi has declared, however, that she will become the country’s de facto leader, acting “above the president”, if her party forms the next government.
Hollande also recalled that his country “was still paying close attention to the respect of the will of the people of Myanmar, to the easing of political and religious tensions and to the pursuit of national reconciliation as desired by Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi”. Aung San Suu Kyi has transformed from a symbol of an embattled democracy movement into a strong leader of the upcoming government of Myanmar.
Analysts say hard months lie ahead, with the army still in charge of key levers of power, protected by a constitution gifting it 25 percent of all parliamentary seats as well as key security posts.
“Mother Suu”, as she is affectionately known, has said a democratic government would not seek to punish historic abuses by the military.
India also congratulated the people of Myanmar for the orderly conduct of voting and the peaceful and exemplary conduct of the electorate.
He welcomed the comments of independent election observers that the election was “a generally well-run polling process” and called on all parties to work together for a peaceful and orderly transition as the new government is formed.
She has requested meetings with Burma’s military chief, the president and the chairman of parliament to discuss the formation of a new government.
Advertisement
President Thein Sein would meet Suu Kyi, said Zaw Htay, a senior official from the president’s office.
