The landslide victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the Myanmar elections held on Nov. 8 marks a conquest for democracy. This is the NLD’s second triumph since the military junta conducted general elections for the first time in 1990. However, in 1990, the junta did not cede power.
Two landslide victories within 25 years demonstrate the strong desire of the Myanmar people to embrace democracy.
Indeed, in 2011, responding to strong winds of change and international pressure, the current Myanmar president, Gen. (ret) Thein Sein, declared Myanmar a country open to democracy.
The NLD, led by 1991 Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, is now preparing to take office when President Thein’s term ends in March 2016.
Myanmar’s political changes remind us of the experiences of its Southeast Asian neighbors. In 1986 the Philippines saw people’s power topple the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.
Since the fall of Marcos, the Philippines has consistently organized peaceful, democratic elections. (Courtesy of The Jakarta Post)
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