North Korea has admitted that there was a dissent among voters in Sunday’s elections. It is the first time since the 1960s that North Korea has departed from its usual practice and acknowledged the diverse views of voters, but analysts believe it is an attempt to project an image of a more democratic society rather than indicating a significant expansion of rights in the authoritarian state, on Tuesday, the 28th of November, reports Reuters.
According to the state news agency KCNA, 99.91% and 99.87% of the votes cast in North Korea’s Sunday regional people’s assemblies elections went to provincial and, city and county assemblies candidates respectively,
while 0.09% and 0.13% respectively voted against the selected candidates.
The regional elections, which are held every four years in North Korea, were also notable for being the first since the country amended its electoral law in August to allow multiple candidates.
A report by the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada points out that despite talk of dissent, the voting process in North Korea remains under control, with a slight drop in the vote – from 99.98% four years ago to 99.63% this year – suggesting a weakening of state control in a country where voting is considered compulsory, writes Reuters.
North Korea is known for its tightly controlled society, with its leader, Kim Jong Un, accused of absolute control through a system of patronage and repression.
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