Myanmar opposition claims landslide Suu Kyi win

The Nobel peace laureate took an estimated 82 per cent of the vote in Kawhmu constituency, according to the National League for Democracy party.

Supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi's the National League for Democracy party cheer as they learn the preliminary results of Sunday's vote.

YANGON // Myanmar's opposition claimed a historic victory today for pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in her bid for a seat in parliament, sparking scenes of jubilation among crowds of supporters.

Hundreds of people clapped and cheered as a giant screen outside her National League for Democracy (NLD) party headquarters in Yangon announced the Nobel Peace Prize winner had won a parliamentary seat for the first time.

Some people wept with joy at the news, which if confirmed would mark a stunning turnaround for the former political prisoner, who was locked up by the former junta for most of the past 22 years.

"We have been waiting for this day for a long time. I'm so happy," said the NLD supporter Kalyar, who goes by one name.

Ms Suu Kyi took an estimated 82 per cent of the vote in Kawhmu constituency, according to the NLD senior member Tin Oo, based on the party's own unofficial tally of the by-election. Official results were expected within a week.

The party also claimed it had won at least 10 of the other 45 seats at stake in the vote, which cannot threaten the army-backed ruling party's majority.

Observers believe Myanmar's new reform-minded quasi-civilian government wanted Ms Suu Kyi to win a place in parliament to burnish its reform credentials and smooth the way for an easing of western sanctions.

Many of her supporters had waited for hours in searing heat to catch a glimpse of Ms Suu Kyi, 66, who was running for political office for the first time.

Her main rival in the rural Kawhmu constituency was a former military doctor with the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party.

Voters queued patiently to cast their votes. In stark contrast to life under the junta, many openly expressed their support and affection for "The Lady".

"There's only been one person for us for 20 years," said Tin Zaw Win.

"We believe in her and want to vote for her. Almost my whole village will vote for Aunt Suu," he added.

Some people complained that their names were missing from the voter lists, although it was unclear how many were affected.

"I want to vote for Mother Suu but they haven't given me my ballot paper so I'm here to demand it," Zin Min Soe told AFP at a polling station.

"They can't just lose my vote," he said.

The polls were also marred somewhat by allegations of ballot paper irregularities, notably that wax had been put over the check box for the NLD that could be rubbed off later to cancel the vote.

It was not immediately clear how widespread irregularities were.

"This is happening around the country," NLD spokesman Nyan Win said. "I have sent a complaint letter to the union election commission."

* Agence France-Presse