CONCLUSION: "One year after the new Myanmar government took office, a remarkably rapid transition is underway. The president has made clear that he intends to do much more to acceler-ate democratic reform, rebuild the economy, promote ethnic peace, improve rule of law and heal the bitter wounds of the past. By-elections held on 1 April were relatively free and fair, and the opposition National League for Democ-racy won a landslide victory, taking 43 of the 45 seats be-ing contested. Aung San Suu Kyi won her seat with a large majority. Although these results will not alter the balance of power in the legislature, they make the NLD the larg-est opposition party and give it a powerful mandate as the voice of popular opinion within the legislatures. There is a broad consensus among the political elite on the need for fundamental reform. This makes the risk of a reversal relatively low. However, the reform process faces several challenges, including a lack of technical and insti-tutional capacity to formulate policy and implement deci-sions; rebuilding a moribund economy and meeting rising expectations for tangible improvements in living stand-ards; and consolidating peace in ethnic areas. The NLD electoral landslide, which came at the expense of the gov-ernment-backed USDP, can add further momentum to the reforms but may also alarm many in the political estab-lishment. This could expose the president to greater inter-nal criticism and stiffen resistance to further democratic reform. The international community has an important role to play in supporting reform. In addition to providing technical advice and assistance, political support for the reform ef-fort is also crucial. Myanmar has turned away from five decades of authoritarianism and has embarked on a bold process of political, social and economic reform. Those in the West who have long called for such changes must now do all they can to support them. The most important step is to lift the sanctions on Myanmar without delay. Failing to do so would strengthen the hand of more conservative el-ements in the country and undermine those who are driving the process of change."