A last minute email from the Burmese government stating I’ve been granted an official press pass even though the elections are in 5 days, a few beers with photographers in Perth that night encouraging me to go..8 hours later catching a flight to Bangkok to pick up a visa arriving in Rangoon (Yangon) 8am on Saturday. No sleep, little research and first time in Burma so challenging but not unusual for a news story.
Luckily found an english speaking driver who knew the story so headed straight to the National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, in Rangoon for some info then a crazy 3 hour drive following her energetic supporters to her chosen constituency in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon.
Had to return that night to recharge batteries etc as totally unprepared for an overnight so in hotel at 11.30pm and gone again at 2.30am. Lots of local and international press at her house to see Aung San Suu Kyi leave to meet her supporters at 7am and another frantic 4 hours as she visited polling booths around Kawhmu.
Leaving the media circus it was time to concentrate on the elections themselves visiting voting stations throughout Kawhmu and Rangoon. Media restrictions stated you could not photograph within 500 yards of a polling station but after visiting more than 20 I found two that due to local officials who either didn’t understand the law or decided it wasn’t appropriate (I hope it was the latter) let me in to document Burmese people voting in only the third election to be held in Burma in the last 50 years. Quite a moment for all which was embraced by young and old.
As far as I could see it seemed very well organised, consistent throughout each station and transparent. This was obviously only a very surface and brief view of the elections so lets hope that nothing untoward comes to light over the next few days. If the official results confirm what the NLD are stating then it has been a resounding victory for them and Aung San Suu Kyi. The future of Burma is now in many ways as unpredictable yet optimistic as it has been for many years…….
National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi surrounded by her party aides leaves her home in Rangoon (Yangon) to travel down to Kawhmu on the eve of the by-election.
National League for Democracy (NLD) supporters travel from Rangoon (Yangon) to Kawhmu, south west of Rangoon (Yangon) where their leader Aung San Suu Kyi is standing in the by-election.
Villagers along the road show support for NLD supporters travelling from Rangoon (Yangon) to Kawhmu, south west of Rangoon (Yangon).
NLD supporters travel on a bus with a painting of Aung San Suu Kyi and her late father Aung San.
An NLD supporter welcomes Aung Sun Suu Kyi to Kawhmu.
Thousands of NLD supporters descend on Kawhmu on the eve of the by-elections.
National League for Democracy (NLD) supporters travel from Rangoon (Yangon) to Kawhmu, south west of Rangoon (Yangon) where their leader Aung San Suu Kyi is standing in the by-election.
On election day flanked by her security guards NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi visits a polling station in Kawhmu, south west of Rangoon (Yangon) where she is standing in the by-election.
A journalist falls trying to follow the Aung San Suu Kyi convoy. Despite some written restrictions the press had relative freedom to report
Aung San Suu Kyi visiting a polling station.
Voters in Natsingone High School in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) check their names are on the voting list during the by-elections.
Voters in Natsingone High School in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) check their names are on the voting list during the by-elections.
A ballot paper in Natsingone High School in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) during the by-elections.
A woman places her vote with the assistance of an official in Natsingone High School in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) during the by-elections.
A woman places her vote watched by party observers in one of the many schools used as polling stations in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) during the by-elections.
A man places his vote in one of the many schools used as polling stations in Kawhmu south west of Rangoon (Yangon) during the by-elections.
Officials taking out the ballot papers from the ballot boxes in Mingalar Tuang Nyunt Township in Rangoon (Yangon) following the by-elections.
A large crowd in Mingalar Tuang Nyunt Township in Rangoon (Yangon) outside the ballot counting station wait in anticipation as the results start coming in following the by-elections.
An official shows an empty ballot box to the large crowd gathered to hear the results of the by-election in Mingalar Tuang Nyunt Township in Rangoon (Yangon) following the by-elections.
A large crowd in Mingalar Tuang Nyunt Township in Rangoon (Yangon) outside the ballot counting station wait in anticipation as the results start coming in following the by-elections.
The crowd reacts as news of NLD wins come in.
Aung San Suu Kyi has claimed victory in the elections for her post on government. Time will tell how successful in changing the regime the election will have.