Myanmar’s Road to Democracy
Citizens of Burma enjoy the celebration of elections!
Nov 23, 2015
The nation of Myanmar took their first political step torwards democracy on Monday, Nov. 8, 2015 when general elections for Members of Assembly to seats in both the Upper House (the House of Nationalities) and the lower house (the House of Representatives ) took place. This was the country’s first national vote since the implementation of a nominally civilian government in 2011, ending nearly 50 years of military rule.
“Our hearts beat in the same note. We struggled together, and we had hopes together. We dreamed together for nearly 30 years. The NLD and the people are comrades-in-arms. I think that is the reason they supported us,” said Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the NLD.
Official results released on November 13, gave the National League for Democracy (NLD) an absolute majority of seats in the chambers of the national parliament, enough to ensure that its candidate would become president. The NLD holds 135 out of 224 seats in the House of Nationalities, and 255 out of 440 seats in the House of Representatives.
“I think that the elections held in Myanmar are a great step forward towards democracy for the nation, but there is much work to be done. I am excited to see the outcome of the future presidential elections,” said senior Joseph Villafane.
It is clear that the National League for Democracy is on course for a historic victory over its rivals.
