Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi elected to parliament

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's opposition leader termed it as a "victory of the people" after her National League for Democracy (NLD) party declared she had won a seat in parliament for the first time. "It's usual that NLD members and supporters are happy at this moment," she said in a statement.

"But words, behaviour and actions that can harm and sadden other parties and people must be avoided completely. I would like all NLD members to ensure that the victory of the people is a dignified victory," she added.

The win marks a dramatic reversal in the political fortunes of the veteran activist, who was incarcerated by the former junta for the greater part of the past 22 years. Official results are expected within a week.

According to observers, Myanmar's quasi-civilian government would like to see Suu Kyi take a place in parliament to add to the legitimacy of its political system and ease western sanctions against the regime.

However, even if her party were to win all 44 seats it contested in Sunday's by-elections, the balance of power would continue to remain in favour of the military and its political allies given their dominant presence in parliament.

Suu Kyi has for a quarter-century struggled for a free Burma and the Nobel Peace Prize laureate whose non-violent struggle for democracy at home transformed the country and she is now on the verge of taking up public office for the first time.