Incumbent Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker U T Khun Myat has been elected Thursday morning as the new speaker of the Lower House following the resignation of U Win Myint who is expected to become the country’s next president.

The Pyithu Hluttaw has also elected U Tun Aung better known by his name as U Tun Tun Hein as deputy speaker.

U Win Myint resigned from his post on Wednesday immediately after President U Htin Kyaw announced his resignation over poor health, fuelling speculations he would become the country’s next president.

U T Khun Myat and U Tun Tun Hein were both contenders to fill up the speakership of Pyithu Hluttaw.

After the voting, U T Khun Myat was elected as speaker with 280 votes, the maximum among the candidates. However, the votes against him were 124.

U T Khun Myat, lawmaker representing Kutkhai township of Shan state, is a close ally of former speaker Thura U Shwe Mann and stands as an independent member of parliament. He resigned last year from opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

U Tun Tun Hein, a central executive committee member of the ruling party, represents Nawngcho Township in Shan state.