In North Korea’s first parliamentary election since Kim Jong-un took over following the death of Kim Jong-il, the “dear leader” dominated the Sunday polls, winning 100 percent of the vote.
Kim stood on a celebratory stage in the symbolic Mount Paekdu district earlier Monday, surrounded by crowds of fervent party supporters and loyal politicians.
The state news agency reported that Kim took a “100 percent victory” and the elections, also received a turnout of 100 percent nationwide.
“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.”, the North Korean state media agency declared earlier Monday.
While the elections are obviously faked, the voting system effectively provides the government with another powerful tool to monitor public political dissent. Each ballot has a single named listed with only two options; “yes” or “no.”
Authorities will review who didn’t vote to investigate possible defections, The Independent reports.
Michael Madden, editor of the NK Leadership Watch website, told The Independent that the autocratic North holds elections for one main reason: They provide “the most comprehensive assessment of the population.”
Despite the lack of any contest, every five years or so the international community attentively watches the North Korean elections. The changing political line-up of the North’s so-called “deputies” provides a rare and practical glimpse into the potential strategy of the ruling Workers’ Party.