Former prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi poised to prevail in Myanmar election

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• JUDY WOODRUFF:

  We turn now to Asian nation of Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma, where Sunday's election is on track to produce a landslide victory to the party of former political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi.

  We start with a report from John Irvine of Independent Television News.

• JOHN IRVINE:

  It seems the world has a new democracy. After years of brutal repression, Burma's freedom movement and its charismatic leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, have prevailed, and that was something to celebrate here tonight.

• MAN:

  She is genius. She is genius. She is a great leader. She is very honest. She is like father. She is our mother.

• JOHN IRVINE:

  But the day began differently, with Yangon strangely subdued. Many heeded official advice to stay at home. The joy of yesterday's vote had been replaced by uncertainty about what might happen next.

  Then, when election officials didn't show up to announce results at the appointed time, there was concern that democracy delayed might be democracy denied again.

  Soon, Ms. Suu Kyi appeared at her party headquarters. She urged supporters to keep calm and to remain peaceful. Then, nine hours late, the first results did come in, and people were calm no more.

  (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

• JOHN IRVINE:

  Not long ago, just being a member of this political party was a jailable offense. Aung San Suu Kyi served a total of 15 years in custody. Now the former prisoner is poised to become a premier.

  In the five years since Ms. Suu Kyi's release, many new faces have turned up here, businessmen and tourists for whom part of the appeal of this place is its timeless quality. The flip side is that many Burmese live in a time forgot.

  Slums like this are commonplace. Home is a tiny stilted shack teetering over swampland. These are the people Aung San Suu Kyi has promised to help. Ms. Suu Kyi's next burden is expectation. But after decades of struggle, she has put herself in a position to deliver. Democracy has won through here, a thrilling prospect for people impatient for a future.