Parliamentary elections were held in North Korea on 10 March 2019 to elect the members of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly.[1] The elections were announced on 6 January 2019. With only one candidate on the ballot in each constituency, outside observers described it as a show election. 687 candidates for the DPRK deputies to the SPA were elected. Kim Jong Un did not stand for election, marking the first time that a North Korean leader did not participate as a candidate.
Background
On 8 January 2019 the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) issued Decision No. 220, which announced the election of deputies to the 14th Supreme People's Assembly.[2] This was followed three days later by the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly issuing Decision No. 221, which organized a central election committee for the election of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly that consists of Yang Hyong-sop as chairman, Kim Phyong-hae as vice chairman, Jong Yong-guk as secretary general, as well as Choe Pu-il, Kim Yong-dae, Kim Yong-ho, Pak Chol-min, Ju Yong-gil, Kim Chang-yop, Jang Chun-sil, Ri Tu-song, Pak Myong-chol and Ryo Jong-son as members.[3]
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on 29 January that the constituencies and sub-constituencies for the election of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly had been organized, and, on 3 February, reported that election committees had been organized in the constituencies and sub-constituencies. On 21 February, the Workers' Party of Korea Publishing House produced posters urging voters to "further glorify socialism of our style on the strength of single-minded unity" and to "cement our revolutionary power as firm as a rock."[4] On 24 February, the KCNA reported that sub-constituency committees have displayed lists of eligible voters for the election.[5] On 25 February, the Rodong Sinmun published an editorial calling for elevated political enthusiasm and participation in the elections.[6] The Central Committee of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland issued a similar appeal and sought for the social and economic prosperity of the nation coupled with peaceful relations (and a reunification) with South Korea.[7] On 2 March, the Korean Central Television broadcast similar slogans.[8]
On 4 March the Rodong Sinmun published a commentary saying that the North Korean election system is "the most superior in the world."[9]
On 7 March the Central Election Committee reported that the nomination and registration of candidates has been completed.[10] On 8 March, the KCNA reported that profiles of candidates in the election have been displayed at all constituencies, and polling stations have been set up.[11]
Electoral system
The election was based on the principle of a single-seat, first-past-the-post system. The candidate with most votes won the seat, even if they won less than half of total valid votes (majority voting). According to outside observers, the proceedings were a show election.[12][13] It was also believed that the legislature wielded no influence on state policies and served as a rubber-stamp to decisions taken by the party machinery.[14]
Voting was mandatory, and choice of candidates was not offered.[14] The voters were given a ballot paper with a single name and were expected to drop it in the ballot box.[14][15] Voters are theoretically able to signify dissent by crossing the name off, or by not voting at all. However, some observers have reported that voting in this manner can be interpreted as treasonous.[14][16][17]
Conduct
At 11:00 Kim Jong Un went to Sub-constituency No. 40 of Constituency No. 10 Kyogu located at the Kim Chaek University of Technology, and voted for the university's president Hong So-hon as deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly.[18]
At 12:00 the Central Election Committee reported that the voter turnout had reached 56.76 percent;[19] turnout had reached 92.35% by 15:00.[20]
At 18:00 the Central Election Committee reported that all of the voters except for those overseas or working at sea had participated in the election, and that the election results were being counted.[21]
Results
The Central Election Committee reported on 12 March 2019 that the voter turnout for the election was at 99.99%, and that unanimously the voters cast their ballots in favor of the registered candidates. The report also included the names of the 687 elected deputies to the 14th Supreme People's Assembly.[22]
Kim Jong Un was not included in the list of elected deputies, which marked the first time that a North Korean leader did not participate as a candidate in the election of the Supreme People's Assembly.[23]
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