Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy's party is on track to win over 70 per cent of seats in historic Myanmar elections, a tally that could sweep it to power and end decades of military dominance.
Myo Sett Thwe was positive that politically, things would change.
"Politically it is clear she is a political icon. So almost all the citizens respect her, and all the political players respect her. And many leaders across the world respect her. But, being a good leader in governance - she alone can lead the whole system,” he said.
However for May Htou Zaw it is a more cautious moment, despite the initial victory of the NLDP.
“According to a speech from an army senior general - he promised he would not repeat the same thing as in the 1990 election. So I think I will wait and see what the army will be doing”, she said.
Despite her party's victory Ms Suu Kyi is barred from taking the presidency herself under the constitution written by the junta to preserve its power.
related reading
Comment: Myanmar’s young voters hope for change
But if she is able to form Myanmar's first democratically elected government since the early 1960s, Suu Kyi says she will be the power behind the new president regardless of a constitution she has derided as "very silly".
Jonathan Bogais, Adjunct Associate Professor School at the school of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Sydney, said Suu Kyi will be in a difficult position despite her party’s win.
"Well, one would think that she received legal advice before saying so,” he told SBS.
“However, it is going to put her in a difficult position because according to Article 58 of the Constitution, no-one can take precedence over the President.
“So for her to say she will be above it, probably she's defying it by saying that the President will obey the directive of the party and she's the chair of the party, therefore she has a right to tell the President what to do - will still be seen by the military as an attempt to set up a puppet President, and some hardliners in the military may not like this."
related reading
Players and issues in Myanmar polls
Trevor Wilson the former Australian ambassador to Myanmar, from 2000 - 2003, is disputing the idea that conflict is brewing between Suu Kyi and USDP military over her vow to lead "above the president."
"Aung San Suu Kyi does have a reasonable relationship with the leaders in the military, and they are quite capable of sitting down and talking about this,” he told SBS.
I think the wording she might have said - that she would be above the President - was a bit unfortunate. I don't know whether that's exactly what she meant."
Share
