Only a few months ago it would have been unthinkable that thousands of people in Myanmar could turn out to support opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
But now, the ruling military junta has loosened its grip on power and after 15 years under house arrest, the democracy icon and Nobel Peace Prize winner is leading her party into parliamentary elections.
Ecstatic cheers as Aung San Suu Kyi registers for seat in Myanmar parliament
The vote is thought to be an attempt by the government at improving transparency and its international reputation after a 2010 general election that was marred by allegations of fraud, and widely dismissed as a sham to favour a party created by the junta.
Clinton: US ready to restore relations with Myanmar
Channel Four Europe's John Sparks travelled with the candidate as she campaigned in the southern city of Maw-la-me-yei.
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