'Electric, euphoric, historic' are the gushing words as Myanmar stands at the threshold of history. Eighty-year-old Sein Tun, a delta farmer, with tears rolling down his parched face, says: 'I never thought this moment will arrive in my life time. What a joy! This is a miracle.'
The people of Myanmar have voted with vengeance. The ruling USDP is gasping to reach double figures. A sympathetic Union Election Commission is dithering. Even after three days and depressing delays in election results. The shock and awe of the verdict is total. S
According to the election commission Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD party is still around 163 seats. NLD supporters believe they have already crossed the magic number; won 360 seats in the bicameral parliament of 657 seats. Supporters are in a revelry of celebration. President U Thein Sein, welcomes the verdict. The army chief has agreed to meet Aung San Sui Kyi. Aung San Sui Kyi has won a clear mandate to lead. Will she lead?
Even to neutral observers, NLD is on a rollercoaster ride, a tsunami sweep of the first free election, clocking around 78 per cent of the votes. This gives scope for control of executive and legislative powers to NLD.
The results resonate beyond the shores of Myanmar. The manner in which a fragile woman with the power of empty hands wrought a miracle, melting decades of totalitarian dominance, is the stuff of history. The world savours this moment as its own. This is the Gandhi moment, the Mandela moment of the 21st Century. In an era of ISIL killings and chronic violent wars in the middle east for 'democracy', a woman from the east has once again affirmed the moral superiority of non violence.
This a pivotal moment in history.
But challenges abound. The journey has many road blocks. Aung San Suu Kyi cannot hold the reins of power at once. She is barred. The 2008 constitution entrenches the army's role. It safeguards economic interests of the army and their business partners. Unbridled powers are entrusted with the army. The military is the ultimate custodian of the constitution.
Military will not easily give up its political and economic power. It has 25 per cent membership in all legislatives. It controls the important ministries: defense, internal security and border affairs. A civilian government is powerless in these. Local administration and the judiciary is controlled by the army. The army can take over any