MYANMAR-POLITICS/AUNG SAN SUU KYI Suu Kyi registers for the upcoming Myanmar general election

Record ID: 145731

  • Title: MYANMAR-POLITICS/AUNG SAN SUU KYI Suu Kyi registers for the upcoming Myanmar general election
  • Date: 29th July 2015
  • Summary: YANGON, MYANMAR (JULY 29, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S CARS CONVOY ARRIVING AND SUPPORTERS STANDING VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS WELCOMING SUU KYI CONVOY SUU KYI GETTING OFF FROM CAR AND WAVING HAND SUU KYI WALKING IN TO ROOM SUU KYI GREETING UNION ELECTION COMMISSION (UCE) STAFF VARIOUS OF DOCUMENTS BEING PREPARED VARIOUS OF SUU KYI
  • Embargoed: 13th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Myanmar
  • Country: Myanmar
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVADFDNS5J44BMHUDJDLQLTQ6TJK
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi registered for an upcoming election on Wednesday (July 29) to keep her seat in Myanmar's parliament.
    With people cheering and waving flags, the seventy-year-old democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi visited the office of the Union Election Commission (UCE) in Thanlyin township, south of Yangon.
    Myanmar called for a general election on November 8, the first nationwide ballot since the end of direct military rule in 2011, when the country has undergone significant political and economic liberalisation.
    One clause in the constitution bars individuals with children who are foreign citizens from becoming presidents. That makes Suu Kyi, who has two children who are British, ineligible.
    On Wednesday, she registered for Kawhmu constituency, her hometown, in order to keep her seat in the parliament where she was also represented in 2012 by-election.
    The noble laureate has become a glimpse of hope for the people.
    "I am happy because I want to give my vote, from my heart, to her as she will be elected in my constituency. I am very pleased and I give my best wishes to her," said 54-year-old farmer Khin Thaung.
    "Everything will be better if Mother Suu wins in the election. I think we will have several developments in many aspects such as socially and economically," said 37-year-old Khin Myat Mon, one of Suu Kyi supporters.
    National League for Democracy party, has announced earlier this month to send Ko Ko Gyi, a leader of student protests in 1988 pro-democracy students movement who spent 17 years as a political prisoner to represent NLD.
    Also offering to run for parliament are Nay Phone Latt, an influential free speech advocate, and Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe, head of the Karen Women's Action Group, a well-known female empowerment organisation.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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