New York, NY (BBN)– United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the people and the Burmese government for the “peaceful and largely orderly” manner in which by-elections were held on Sunday.
“Candidates from various political parties, including the National League for Democracy, participated freely in the elections, a development that the Secretary-General believes is another significant step towards a better future for Myanmar,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement on Monday. “He acknowledges, in particular, the courage and vision of President Thein Sein, which has made such progress possible.”
Burma, officially known as Myanmar, citizens headed to the polls on Sunday to vote for representatives of 48 parliamentary seats. A United Nations team had been on the ground since last week, and witnessed the voting in a number of constituencies.
According to the statement, despite some complaints of irregularities during the voting, key stakeholders in Myanmar, including political parties, stressed to the visiting UN team their strong belief that the by-elections were a boost for the ongoing reforms in the country.
Mr. Ban also took note of the “constructive efforts and positive statements by the Government and other key stakeholders, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in the lead-up to and following the by-election,” his spokesperson said, noting that he is encouraged by the initial reaction of the international community.
BBN/SSR/AD-03Apr12-12:20 pm (BST)
