Myanmar’s President Thein Sein sent his congratulations to Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi on her opposition party’s victory in Sunday election, seen by many as conceding defeat. President Sein, a former general, has led the military-backed government since 2011.
In a statement delivered in a Facebook message by the President’s spokesperson, he stated, “the government will respect and follow the people’s choice and decision, and work on transferring power peacefully according to the timetable.”
Ms Suu Kyi wrote to the President, Speaker of the Lower House and Chief of the Military on Wednesday requesting that the results of the election be “implemented in a peaceful and stable manner.” The office of the Chief of the Military, General Min Aung Hlaing, responded saying that the military “congratulates the National League for Democracy in getting a majority of seats” in the official results released thus far.
As of Wednesday night, the Election Commission had announced results for 298 of the 491 seats contested, of which the NLD had won 256. A quarter of the 664 total parliamentary seats are held by the military, meaning that the NLD must win 329 of the 491 contested seats in order to win a majority.
Both sides have agreed to meet and discuss negotiations after the final official results of the vote are announced later this month.
In a statement delivered in a Facebook message by the President’s spokesperson, he stated, “the government will respect and follow the people’s choice and decision, and work on transferring power peacefully according to the timetable.”
Ms Suu Kyi wrote to the President, Speaker of the Lower House and Chief of the Military on Wednesday requesting that the results of the election be “implemented in a peaceful and stable manner.” The office of the Chief of the Military, General Min Aung Hlaing, responded saying that the military “congratulates the National League for Democracy in getting a majority of seats” in the official results released thus far.
As of Wednesday night, the Election Commission had announced results for 298 of the 491 seats contested, of which the NLD had won 256. A quarter of the 664 total parliamentary seats are held by the military, meaning that the NLD must win 329 of the 491 contested seats in order to win a majority.
Both sides have agreed to meet and discuss negotiations after the final official results of the vote are announced later this month.