Myanmar’s historic elections

Millions of citizens in Myanmar are casting their votes on November 8 in a nationwide parliamentary elections described as a historic step in the country’s transition to democracy. 

At stake in the polls is control of the two-chamber legislature known as the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. It is currently dominated by allies of President Thein Sein, a former military general, who is part of a junta that gave up power to a semi-civilian government in 2011. 

The parliament comprises of the lower House of Representatives and the upper House of Nationalities. In both legislative chambers, 25 percent of the seats are reserved for the military as set in the constitution.

Political observers predict the National League of Democracy, led by opposition figure Aung San Suu Kyi, will defeat the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party. The Nobel Prize winner’s landslide win in 1990 was ignored by the military.

Following the national elections, representatives of the legislature will pick the president. And while Suu Kyi is barred from the post, she could wield considerable sway on who should lead the country out of its political and economic stagnation.  

Here’s a breakdown of the elections by state and region.