Myanmar Ruling Party Claims Victory After Strong Election Turnout

Officials of Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling National League for Democracy have claimed victory in Myanmar parliamentary elections on Nov. 8, which saw millions of voters brave long lines under tight coronavirus restrictions to turn out for the country's second democratic election since the end of military rule. Votes were still being counted and no official projection has been released.

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(Photo: RFA)

A voter holds a child and shows her inked pinky finger after casting a ballot in Lashio township, northern Shan state, Nov. 8, 2020.

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Supporters of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) react in front of the party's headquarters in Yangon, as votes are being counted after polls closed in the election, Nov. 8, 2020. (Photo by Ye Aung THU / AFP)

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A supporter of the National League for Democracy (NLD) holds a mobile phone with an image of leader Aung San Suu Kyi in front of the party's headquarters in Yangon, as votes are being counted after polls closed in the election, Nov. 8, 2020. (Photo by Ye Aung THU / AFP)

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Supporters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) wave the party's flag in front of NLD headquarters in Yangon, as votes are being counted after polls closed in the election, Nov. 8, 2020. (Photo by Ye Aung THU / AFP)

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A supporter of the National League for Democracy (NLD) attends a gathering in front of the party's headquarters in Yangon, as votes are being counted after polls closed in the election, Nov. 8, 2020. (Photo by Sai Aung Main / AFP)

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Supporters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party wave flags in front of the party's office in Mandalay, as votes are being counted after polls closed in the election, Nov. 8, 2020. (Photo by Ye Naing Ye / AFP)

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Supporters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party react in front of the party's headquarters in Yangon, as votes are being counted after polls closed in the election, Nov. 8, 2020. (Photo by Ye Aung THU / AFP)

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Supporters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party react in front of the party's headquarters in Yangon, as votes are being counted after polls closed in the election, Nov. 8, 2020. (Photo by Ye Aung THU / AFP)

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A supporter of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party wearing a face mask with the image of Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi reacts in front of the party's headquarters in Yangon, after NLD officials said they were confident of a landslide victory in the weekend's election, Nov. 9, 2020. (Photo by Ye Aung Thu / AFP)

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Supporters of National League for Democracy gather to celebrate at party headquarters in Yangon after NLD officials said they were confident of a landslide victory in the weekend's election, Nov. 9, 2020. REUTERS/Shwe Paw Mya Tin

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Supporters of National League for Democracy gather to celebrate at party headquarters in Yangon after NLD officials said they were confident of a landslide victory in the weekend's election, Nov. 9, 2020. REUTERS/Shwe Paw Mya Tin

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NLD supporters in Dawei, Thanintharyi region, parade triumphantly after NLD officials said they were confident of a landslide victory in the weekend's election, Nov. 9, 2020. Photo: RFA

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NLD supporters in Dawei, Thanintharyi region, drive around triumphantly after NLD officials said they were confident of a landslide victory in the weekend's election, Nov. 9, 2020. Photo: RFA

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NLD supporters in Dawei, Thanintharyi region, parade triumphantly after NLD officials said they were confident of a landslide victory in the weekend's election, Nov. 9, 2020. Photo: RFA

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Voters wait in line outside a village polling station in Pathein township, Ayeyarwady region, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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Voters wait in line outside a polling station at a high school in Hpa-an township, Kayin state, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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Voters wait in line outside a polling station in Thingangyun township, Yangon region, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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Myanmar military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (C) waits in line outside a polling station at the capital Naypyidaw, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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Military personnel in mufti sit on a truck before heading to a polling station in Pyin Oo Lwin township, Mandalay region, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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A Myanmar soldier and his family get off a truck near a village polling station in Sittwe township, Rakhine state, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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An election official checks voter lists on a board at a polling station in Dawei township, Tanintharyi region, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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A volunteer nurse sprays hand sanitizer on a voter's hands as he enters a polling station in Demoso township, Kayah state, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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Voters wait in line outside a polling station in Myitkyina township, Kachin state, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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Election officials count ballots at a polling station in Launglon township, Tanintharyi region, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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Election officials count ballots at a polling station in Launglon township, Tanintharyi region, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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Election officials count ballots at a polling station in Sittwe township, Rakhine state, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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An election official shows a ballot at a polling station in Lashio township, northern Shan state, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA

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Supporters gather outside NLD regional headquarters after polling closed in the city of Mandalay on election night, Nov. 8, 2020. Photo: RFA