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Suu Kyi’s party wins historic majority in Myanmar

Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy party leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with ink still imprinted on the little finger of her left hand after voting yesterday, waves after delivering a speech from a balcony of the NLD headquarters in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 9, 2015.
Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy party leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with ink still imprinted on the little finger of her left hand after voting yesterday, waves after delivering a speech from a balcony of the NLD headquarters in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 9, 2015. AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe

Myanmar’s election panel has released results showing that Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition party has secured a historic majority in Myanmar’s Parliament.

With the tally still being counted, the Election Commission said Friday that Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party has won 15 more seats, pushing it over the threshold it needed of 329 seats for a majority in the 664-member, two-house Parliament.

A party with a combined parliamentary majority is able to select the next president, who can then name a Cabinet and form a new government.

WATCH: Myanmar opposition supporters celebrate reported election win

The tally from Sunday’s vote was still being counted and final results were not expected for several days.

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But the incoming results confirmed a landslide win for the opposition and a resounding rejection of military rule in Myanmar. The country has been under military control for half a century.

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READ MORE: Myanmar government promises peaceful transfer of power

President Barack Obama congratulated Suu Kyi’s for the success of her opposition party.

The White House says that in a phone call Wednesday night Obama commended Suu Kyi for “her tireless efforts and sacrifice over so many years” to promote a peaceful, democratic Myanmar.

Obama also called President Thein Sein to congratulate Burma on its success in conducting the election and the importance of respecting the outcome. The former general has led Myanmar’s military-backed government for five years.

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