As Myanmar lawmakers elected a new president in Naypyitaw this morning, residents of the country’s biggest city anxiously awaited the results of the vote.
In teashops all around Yangon, people followed on TV screens as the ballots were counted. Others followed the news through Facebook.
By 1pm the results were in: Htin Kyaw, the 69-year-old senior aide to Aung San Suu Kyi, had won, scoring 360 votes out of 652. Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency on account of her foreign sons, but has said she will rule through a “proxy”.
The military nominee, Myint Swe, a former general who is blacklisted by the United States, came second thanks to votes from the army, who retain a quarter of seats in parliament. He will become first vice-president.
Henry Van Thio, a representative of the Chin ethnic minority also nominated by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Party, won 79 votes and will become second vice-president.
We spoke to five Yangon residents about the election and what they expect from its winner, Htin Kyaw.
All photos by Aung Naing Soe / Coconuts Yangon.
Soe Win, 54, laborer:
“Please let the people know I am very happy that U Htin Kyaw became the president.
“However much people criticize, they can distinguish easily what is gold and what is bronze. U Htin Kyaw is gold – the world will know. U Myint Swe is bronze.”
Khine Htoo Maung, 24, trishaw driver:
“I wasn’t watching on TV but checked on Facebook, because I was working. U Htin Kyaw is good because he meets every criteria. I also believe in U Htin Kyaw because he is trusted by Mother Suu.
“Most of all I want him to stop civil war and the Myitsone [Dam] Project. I also want a better education system. But, anyway, we have to survive on our own.
“If I have a chance to talk with U Htin Kyaw, I would tell him to rule the people without discriminating.”
Kyaw Than Win, 62-year-old retired government staffer:
“I believe 100 per cent in him [Htin Kyaw]. The country will turn to good from bad.
“[First vice-president] Myint Swe was appointed by the military’s 25 per cent, but Henry [Van Thio] is elected by the desire of the people.”
Ko Win Naing, 47, glasses shop owner:
“If I could have a chance to chat with U Htin Kaw, I would say to him to rule the country by taking every instruction from Mother Suu.
“We want complete rule of law and we are hoping for that.”
San Myint, 52, jewelry shop owner from Tamwe Township:
“I am very excited. Mother Suu sacrificed several years to get to this point. We were so excited looking at the voting process today as it is important for us to get civilian government.”
“We were sure that Saturday-born Htin Kyaw would be the president. We heard his name while parliamentary staff counted the vote: Htin Kyaw, Htin Kyaw. This makes us very happy.”
