Aung San Suu Kyi's party on Thursday designated her former driver and close supporter to be Myanmar's next president.

Suu Kyi cannot hold the presidency under a junta-drafted 2008 constitution because her children are not citizens of Myanmar.

Suu Kyi has sworn to rule "above" the president, despite being prohibited from occupying top office by the army-written constitution, as she makes every effort to fulfill the huge mandate given by millions of Myanmar voters in her National League for Democracy's thumping election victory in November.

Khin San Hlaing, a lower house MP for Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy said, "I would like to propose U Htin Kyaw, from the NLD."

The selection of Htin Kyaw, a warm 69-year-old who was Suu Kyi's school mate comes amidst lingering speculation. However, the process of choosing a leader to replace outgoing President Thein Sein later this month is not yet over.

Representatives from the lower and upper houses of parliament will designate one candidate each, while the military also picks their own nominee.

Unelected soldiers still constitute a quarter of Myanmar's legislature, but the NLD enjoys a decent parliamentary majority thanks to the historic November elections.