The by-elections were the first held since the government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi took power in 2016. The seats won by the NLD include the one previously held by Suu Kyi, who vacated it to take the newly created post of state counsellor and became the de-facto leader of the NLD-led government. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, the former ruling party, won a lower house seat in ethnic minority Mon State, Thein said. Beyond seats it wins in contested elections, a quarter of the seats in parliament are constitutionally reserved for the military. Nine of the 12 seats being contested Saturday were held by NLD members, who vacated the seats to join the cabinet, as required by law.

Source: Bangkok Post April 02, 2017 07:52 UTC