North Korea Reports Opposing Votes in Local Elections
Rare Dissent in North Korea's Electoral Process
Opposition Votes Reported for the First Time Since 1956
In a rare departure from the past, North Korea's state media reported that a small number of opposing votes were cast in the recent local elections held on November 26, 2023. This marks the first time since 1956 that North Korean elections have seen opposition votes, with approval rates previously hovering near 100%. The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly amended the election law in 2023, implementing a primary-like system in certain constituencies, which allowed for the fielding of multiple candidates.
The results of the election for deputies to regional people's assemblies revealed that 0.09% and 0.13% of voters cast opposing votes against selected candidates. While the number of dissenting votes was small, their presence represents a break from the regime's history of near-unanimous support in elections.
Analysts have dismissed the opposition votes as an attempt by North Korea to portray an image of a normal society, as the country often faces criticism for its repressive policies and lack of political freedom. Nonetheless, the presence of dissenting votes, even in such small numbers, suggests that North Korean citizens may be gaining some level of political consciousness and willingness to express their discontent.
North Korea's local elections are held every four years, with the number of seats determined by the population of each area. The elections are not considered free or fair, as all candidates must be approved by the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.
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