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Suu Kyi: I Will Be ‘Above President’ if My Party Wins

DEFIANT

Dismisses constitutional ban on governing.

cheats/2015/11/05/suu-kyi-above-president-if-nld-wins/151105-aung-san-suu-kyi-myanmar-election-cheat_htghls
Jorge Silva/Reuters

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Thursday her role would be “above the president” if the National League for Democracy (NLD) wins the election, dismissing a constitutional ban that prevents her from holding the leadership role. Suu Kyi is banned from holding presidential office under the military junta-drafted constitution, which bars candidates with foreign spouses or children. Suu Kyi’s sons hold British passports. The polls will be Myanmar’s first general election in 25 years—a semi-civilian government took power in 2011. Myanmar’s constitution grants the military at least a quarter of parliamentary seats. The NLD, considered to be the frontrunner, will need to win at least two-thirds of the remaining seats in order to select the next leader.

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