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North Korea elections: Kim Jong-un wins 100% of the vote | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been unanimously re-elected to the country’s parliament after every single eligible person in his constituency turned out to vote – with only his name on the ballot paper. | The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been unanimously re-elected to the country’s parliament after every single eligible person in his constituency turned out to vote – with only his name on the ballot paper. |
Standing in the highly symbolic Mount Paekdu district, Kim was declared victorious this morning ahead of the results for any of the other 700 or so seats. | Standing in the highly symbolic Mount Paekdu district, Kim was declared victorious this morning ahead of the results for any of the other 700 or so seats. |
Rather than being a democratic choice between candidates, elections in North Korea superficially provide the people with the chance to approve the politicians pre-selected by the leading party. Each ballot has a single named listed with the option to pick “yes” or “no”. | Rather than being a democratic choice between candidates, elections in North Korea superficially provide the people with the chance to approve the politicians pre-selected by the leading party. Each ballot has a single named listed with the option to pick “yes” or “no”. |
In practical terms, however, they are a powerful tool for the government to check up on the movements and potential dissidence of the population. | In practical terms, however, they are a powerful tool for the government to check up on the movements and potential dissidence of the population. |
Announcing Kim’s 100 per cent victory today, the state media agency declared: “This is an expression of all the service personnel and people's absolute support and profound trust in supreme leader Kim Jong-un as they single-mindedly remain loyal to him.” | Announcing Kim’s 100 per cent victory today, the state media agency declared: “This is an expression of all the service personnel and people's absolute support and profound trust in supreme leader Kim Jong-un as they single-mindedly remain loyal to him.” |
This was the first “test” to Kim’s authority since he came to power – elections are usually held every five years in North Korea, the last being held before the death of his father Kim Jong-il in 2011. | This was the first “test” to Kim’s authority since he came to power – elections are usually held every five years in North Korea, the last being held before the death of his father Kim Jong-il in 2011. |
External analysts of North Korean politics watch the elections closely, despite the lack of any contest, because the changing line-up of so-called “deputies” gives a rare glimpse into the thinking of the leading Workers’ Party (WPK). | External analysts of North Korean politics watch the elections closely, despite the lack of any contest, because the changing line-up of so-called “deputies” gives a rare glimpse into the thinking of the leading Workers’ Party (WPK). |
The new parliament was expected to meet next month, with experts keen to see if the new set of representatives reflects a generational change as Kim continues to replace older, more entrenched figures with younger – and potentially more loyal – ones. | The new parliament was expected to meet next month, with experts keen to see if the new set of representatives reflects a generational change as Kim continues to replace older, more entrenched figures with younger – and potentially more loyal – ones. |
The elections usually receive a turnout of around 99 per cent nationwide. Michael Madden, editor of the NK Leadership Watch website, said this reflects one reason the autocratic North has votes at all: they provide “the most comprehensive assessment of the population”. | The elections usually receive a turnout of around 99 per cent nationwide. Michael Madden, editor of the NK Leadership Watch website, said this reflects one reason the autocratic North has votes at all: they provide “the most comprehensive assessment of the population”. |
Mustering the nation is a chance for the authorities to hone their mobilisation skills, check the efficiency of local leaders and get a snapshot of internal movements. | Mustering the nation is a chance for the authorities to hone their mobilisation skills, check the efficiency of local leaders and get a snapshot of internal movements. |
“The DPRK is very good at mobilising the population for events,” Mr Madden said, adding that elections “are celebratory events”. | “The DPRK is very good at mobilising the population for events,” Mr Madden said, adding that elections “are celebratory events”. |
“According to North Korean migrants and defectors, it is very difficult to get a hardship dispensation from participating,” he said. | “According to North Korean migrants and defectors, it is very difficult to get a hardship dispensation from participating,” he said. |
Mr Madden said security officials will review data on non-voters to glean information on suspicious activity - absentees could be defected military personnel or workers who have escaped to China in search of higher pay and a better life. | Mr Madden said security officials will review data on non-voters to glean information on suspicious activity - absentees could be defected military personnel or workers who have escaped to China in search of higher pay and a better life. |