Burma’s Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has won a by-election for

Burma’s Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has won a by-election for parliament, her party says, after a landmark vote that saw 45 seats contested.

Ms. Suu Kyi’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) said she had easily won in Kawhmu. Official results are not expected until later in the week.

In a statement, she urged supporters to show restraint in their celebrations.

Thousands of people who gathered outside the NLD headquarters in Rangoon danced and cheered at reports that Ms. Suu Kyi had won her seat.

“It is the people’s victory! We have taught them a lesson,” one shopkeeper wearing an NLD T-shirt told the Associated Press news agency.

Aung San Suu Kyi said in a statement: “It is natural that the NLD members and their supporters are joyous at this point.

“However, it is necessary to avoid manners and actions that will make the other parties and members upset. It is very important that NLD members take special care that the success of the people is a dignified one.”

Even if the NLD wins most of the 44 seats it is contesting, the army and its proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) will still hold about 80% of seats in parliament.

During the campaign, foreign journalists and international observers were given the widest access for years.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has congratulated Burma on holding the vote.

Source AP