Burma's opposition says democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has won a seat in the country's lower house of parliament, after defeating two rival candidates in a by-election.
The Nobel laureate has won an estimated 82 per cent of the vote in her constituency of Kawhmu, south of Rangoon, according to the National League of Democracy (NLD).
It is the first time Ms Suu Kyi has been able to freely contest an election, having been under house arrest in 1990 and 2010.
The prospects look positive in general for the NLD. At party headquarters, a victory board is flashing neon as spectators watch results come in. The ABC observed counting at a small booth in Rangoon where an unofficial result of 402 to 119 in the NLD's favour was announced.
It is believed they may have won as many as 30 out of 44 seats so far.
More than 170 candidates, from 17 parties, had contested the by-elections.
The number of small parties competing reflects the effects of the recent loosening of military control in the historically repressive country.
Ms Suu Kyi says pre-election irregularities mean the poll cannot be free and fair, but it is a step in the reform process.
Many people have complained that there names are not on the voting roll, even though they are registered.
Others say that dead relatives remain on the lists.
And there has been at least one complaint about ballot paper irregularities.
In ethnic Shan state there are allegations that the papers were waxed, preventing voters from marking their preferred candidate.
However, in Rangoon, those who have voted have done so enthusiastically and turnout has been high.
And international observers say the process has appeared generally well run.
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