Kim’s party won 99.93% of the votes in North Korea’s parliamentary elections. There was only one candidate on each seat, against whom 0.07% people voted. For the first time since 1957, this figure of ‘No’ votes has been made public.
Pyongyang: In North Korea’s parliamentary elections, dictator Kim Jong Un’s party ‘Workers’ Party of Korea’ and its allies won 99.93% of the votes. Only 0.07% votes slipped from his hands. But no opponent got these votes because there was no opponent candidate in the election. In fact, there is only one pre-determined candidate for each seat, whom voters can either choose or reject. This means that the remaining 0.07% people voted ‘No’ against the official candidate.
yes or no, no opposition
This is the first time in decades that North Korea’s state media has released the figures of ‘No’ votes in parliamentary elections. This information was made public for the first time since 1957. According to the country’s electoral law, a total of 687 representatives were elected to the Supreme People’s Assembly, including workers, farmers, intellectuals and military officers. In each constituency, the Kim-led ruling party has only one candidate. Voters have no other option. They can either accept or reject this candidate. Outside experts call this entire process just a show election. According to Yonhap News Agency report, KCNA reported that this time 0.07% of voters voted against the candidates.
Kim Jong Un came to power in 2011 after the death of his father Kim Jong Il. In 2019, Kim made changes to the constitution to further strengthen his hold on North Korea. These changes officially made Kim the head of state and ensured his complete control over the government, military and all government institutions.