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Decision day in Myanmar

In a nation blighted by strife, rights abuses and curbs on free speech, for one day millions dared to hope for change.

An eldery woman has her smallest finger dipped in purple ink indicating that she has cast her vote. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
An eldery woman has her smallest finger dipped in purple ink indicating that she has cast her vote. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
By Andre Malerba
10 Nov 2015

The November 8 parliamentary election was a historic day for Myanmar. Since opening up in 2012, Myanmar has experienced a slow and bumpy path towards true democracy, with many of its most powerful people, including current leaders, still well-connected to the former military junta.

Issues such as ethnic conflict, human rights and freedom of speech violations still plague the burgeoning nation, but for one day at least, many people dared hope for true change.

It has been a gruelling race between the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), at one point resulting in an armed attack on various NLD candidates.

The NLD has campaigned on the popularity of democratic icon Aung San Suu Kyi and a strong message of change and a new government. In contrast, the USDP has relied on its entrenched supporters, relaying the message that the people of Myanmar should be thankful for what they have and not risk losing it.

A voter arrives at a polling station in downtown Yangon. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
A voter arrives at a polling station in downtown Yangon. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
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Aung San Suu Kyi moves through a crowd of voters in order to cast her ballot at a schoolhouse in Bahan township, Yangon. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
Aung San Suu Kyi moves through a crowd of voters in order to cast her ballot at a schoolhouse in Bahan township, Yangon. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
Media personnel press against a gate after attempting to follow Aung San Suu Kyi into the schoolhouse where she voted. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
Media personnel press against a gate after attempting to follow Aung San Suu Kyi into the schoolhouse where she voted. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
A voter is helped through the process in downtown Yangon. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
A voter is helped through the process in downtown Yangon. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
Streets are nearly empty in downtown Yangon - a rare sight - during the election. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
Streets are nearly empty in downtown Yangon - a rare sight - during the election. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
Cardboard voting booths are taken down after polls close. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
Cardboard voting booths are taken down after polls close. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
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Votes are counted and separated at a polling station. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
Votes are counted and separated at a polling station. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
An LCD screen displays the vote tallying process in front of National League for Democracy supporters. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
An LCD screen displays the vote tallying process in front of National League for Democracy supporters. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
A National League for Democracy [NLD] supporter yells loudly in support of a vote counted towards the NLD, while watching the tallying process. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]
A National League for Democracy [NLD] supporter yells loudly in support of a vote counted towards the NLD, while watching the tallying process. [Andre Malerba/Al Jazeera]

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