The news from Myanmar continues to be positive. Parliamentary by-elections went ahead as scheduled, and despite some claims of vote irregularities, the results appear to be in line with most expectations. At the same time, the government is proceeding with economic reforms that could have even more widespread and powerful impacts.
Caution continues to be the watchword — progress on both fronts can be reversed — but there is reason to be optimistic. The rest of the world should work to ensure that there is no backsliding.
Landmark elections — the first in real vote in decades — were held to fill 45 seats in the 664-member assembly. The first vote for the assembly was held in 2010, after a new constitution had been approved by the public (a ballot that itself was the subject of considerable controversy).