Suu Kyi tours polling station

ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was greeted by crowds in Kawhmu township on Sunday (April 1), touring a polling station as Myanmar headed to the polls in a historic by-election.

Myanmar holds crucial by-elections on Sunday that are expected to see Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the fight for democracy under the former junta, entering parliament for the first time and could lead to an easing of sanctions by the West.

The United States and European Union have hinted that economic sanctions - imposed years ago in response to human rights abuses - could be lifted if the election is free and fair.

That could unleash a wave of investment in the impoverished but resource-rich country bordering India and China.

A civilian government took office a year ago after almost five decades of military rule and has surprised the world with the speed at which it has implemented political and economic

reforms, including freeing hundreds of political prisoners.

To be regarded as credible, the vote needs the blessing of 66-year-old Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who was freed from house arrest in November 2010, just after the

general election that led to the civilian government the following March.