Suu Kyi wins in Myanmar |
Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi`s opposition party on November 13 secured a historic majority in Myanmar`s parliament, making it possible for them to form the southeast Asian country`s first truly civilian government in more than half-a-century. With the tally stillbeing counted, the Election Commission said that Suu Kyi`s National League for Democracy party won 21 additional seats - pushing it over the threshold of 329 seats needed for a majority in the 664-member, two-house Parliament.The party with a combined parliamentary majority is able to select the next president, who can then name a Cabinet and form a new government.Suu Kyi`s victory had been widely expected, but few anticipated a landslide of such dramatic proportions. The results have shown a resounding rejection of military rule in Myanmar, which has been under army control for half a century.Elections were not held in seven constituencies, meaning a simple majority could be reached at 329 seats. The NLD has officially won 238 seats in the lower house - which means it now will have the power to pass bills - and 110 in the upper house, for a total of 348.In comparison, the ruling pro-militaryUnion Solidarity and Development Party has won 40 seats; the military automatically receives 25 percent of the seats in each house under the constitution. The office of army commander Senior Gen.
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