Myanmar entered a new political era on Monday as Aung San Suu Kyi's MPs took their seats in parliament, bearing the hopes of a nation run for decades by the military.

Wearing pastel orange uniforms, lawmakers from the National League for ­Democracy (NLD) arrived for their first day of work in the capital Nay Pyi Taw, buoyed by a ­massive ­popular mandate from ­November's election.

That poll saw the NLD wrest a majority from the army ­establishment and has spurred hopes of a new political dawn in the nation.

Suu Kyi entered the cavernous parliament building without comment.

She took a seat alone for the short opening session which saw the lawmakers sworn in and the appointment of a close ally, Win Myint, as lower house speaker.

"Today is a day to be proud of in Myanmar's political history and for the democratic transition," Win Myint said in an acceptance speech.

The new government faces a daunting rebuilding task in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries, whose economy has been stagnant for half a ­century.

Many NLD MPs are also political novices, unskilled in the business of government.

They must swiftly adapt to a difficult decision-making process in a legislature where unelected soldiers occupy 25 percent of all seats.

"It's a historic moment for the country," said Myanmar ­political analyst Khin Zaw Win.

The country will now choose a new president to succeed President Thein Sein, the former

general who in 2011 launched dramatic political and ­economic reforms which culminated in the election.

Suu Kyi herself is barred from the post by a military-scripted constitution because she married and had children with a foreigner.

The 70-year-old has vowed to sidestep this hurdle by ­ruling "above" a proxy president, ­although she has yet to reveal her choice for the role.

While there is no clear schedule for the selection of candidates, it could be within days. Elected members of both houses and the military will nominate three candidates to replace Thein Sein, who retains his post until the end of March.

The new president will then be chosen by a vote of the combined houses.

Observers are closely watching Suu Kyi's relationship with the still-powerful military, which holds key ministries.

Suu Kyi may try to persuade the army to help her change the charter clause that blocks her path to power, analysts say, ­although it has so far baulked at any attempt to redraft it.

After decades under the ­military, Myanmar's people queued in their thousands to cast ballots for Suu Kyi and her party in November, ­throwing their support behind her simple campaign message of "change."

While the NLD majority will need time to find their feet, the military has had plenty of time to prepare for the handover.

A quasi-civilian government has steered reforms since outright army rule ended in 2011.