The SLORC had set strict rules for the election which made canvassing virtually illegal. It had even fixed the date for May 27, 1990, the fourth Sunday of the fifth month, a date favoured by Ne Win's numerologists.

Despite the restrictions, the arrest of their leaders, and the fact that Suu Kyi had been barred from standing as a candidate, the NLD decided to contest the election.

On the day, voting was remarkably open and fair. Ninety-three parties put forward more than 2000 candidates for 492 seats.

The SLORC had expected a fragmented opposition vote, with its party, the NUP, doing quite well.

However, the NLD won an overwhelming victory, taking 82% of the seats. Most of the remainder went to anti-SLORC parties. The NUP won only 10 seats. The NLD even won in areas of Rangoon where the military and their families formed the overwhelming majority.

However, SLORC refused to hand over power, announcing that this election was only for a constituent assembly, that first a new constitution had to be written and SLORC would continue as the government as it had 'international' legitimacy.

The elected NLD MPs proclaimed that they would convene the National Assembly which was the highest and sovereign state authority, and that they had a provisional constitution by which the country could be governed.

In response, 80 NLD MPs were arrested; others fled or went underground. There were reports of torture and deaths in detention. About 20 NLD MPs escaped into Karen-held border territory where, in December 1990, after discussions with representatives of ethnic rebel forces, monks and dissident students, they formed the National Coalition Government. Its aim is to oust the military regime and establish a democratic, federal government.

The SLORC bullied the remaining members of parliament into endorsing SLORC as the legitimate government until a new constitution was agreed, putting pressure on the rump of the NLD to replace Suu Kyi and Tin Oo.

Yet Suu Kyi remained the chief thorn in SLORC's side, the only politician who could not be jailed. Still under house arrest, vilified in the government-controlled press and denied visits from her husband or children, the regime put her under enormous pressure to leave the country. She remained steadfast.

In October 1991, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On the day she should have received the prize, students demonstrated at the university, but riot police prevented them from marching to her house.

This was the first pro-democracy demonstration in Rangoon since the election.

Aung San Su Kyi (right) holding a NLD Executive Committee Meeting in her family’s home, August 1991. View of her through doorway from hall; this is the first and only meeting which has been photographed (photo by Nic Dunlop)