Jubilation as results nod to Suu Kyi win in Myanmar elections

Decked out in the trademark red of Myanmar's opposition, hundreds gathered at its Yangon headquarters on Monday as anticipation of victory for Aung San Suu Kyi's party soared with poll results hinting at the once unthinkable -- a government they elected.

"We're tired of the military, mother Suu will bring change... It starts tonight," said Tin Htun Aung, 30, a National League for Democracy sticker dotted on each cheek and waving a large red flag with the party's fighting peacock emblem.

Packed tight in a Yangon road outside the NLD's base, party faithful cheered as results from the city were announced live on a big screen.

Suu Kyi's party claimed almost all of the first and second batches of seats announced Monday night, although these represent just a tiny fraction of results as election authorities are expected to take days to reveal a final count.

Like many among the mainly young supporters braving the sardine-tight crowd and humidity, Tin Htung Aung hoped Monday night would shape the future.

"My daughter is nine, I want my country to be better when she is older... we are a very poor country... Sui Kyi can fix that," he told AFP.

The jubilant scenes were flashed on state television in news programmes on Monday night, a rare glimpse of the opposition in government-dominated broadcasts, which later went back to more familiar territory airing montages of President Thein Sein.

Caption: NLD supporters rejoice after hearing the results on the streets of Yangon

Photo: Daily Mail