时间:2024-09-22 04:33:35 来源:网络整理 编辑:产品中心
This Nov. 22, footage from North Korea's Korean Central TV shows voters standing in front of registe
This Nov. 22, footage from North Korea's Korean Central TV shows voters standing in front of registers ahead of local elections scheduled for Nov. 26. Yonhap
North Korea called for residents to cast their ballots and "fulfill their duties as members of the republic" as the reclusive regime held its first local elections featuring more than one candidate Sunday.
As of noon, 47.8 percent of voters had taken part in the local elections to pick new deputies for local assemblies of provinces, cities and counties across the nation, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency. The polls opened at 10 a.m.
In what appeared to be an intention to introduce competition in the election system, some constituencies fielded two candidates for the local elections held every four years.
Under the recently revised election law, the North held a preliminary election to decide on a final candidate for new deputies of local assemblies, after reviewing the qualifications of two candidates. The final candidate was then allowed to meet with voters during their election campaigns.
"Members of the highly dignified republic should fulfill their duties," the Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper, said in an editorial, saying, "People can look back at the love and consideration they received from the party and the state through election."
The newspaper said the election is an "important political opportunity" to elect deputies who are "firmly acknowledged as people who strive to find and do even one thing that is meaningful and good for the state and the people."
In a separate article, the newspaper criticized the U.S. election system as "promoted as a fair election based on freedom and equality" but is actually a "sophism aimed at covering up the true character of a rotten and ailing capitalist society."
The newspaper also claimed there are many requirements for taking part in elections in the U.S., such as race, wealth and the level of intelligence, adding election results in capitalist societies largely depend on bribing voters.
The North's local elections, where the number of seats is determined by the population of each area, are widely viewed as a formality, as the candidates are selected by the ruling party and rubber-stamped into office.
Voter turnout for the previous local elections, held in July 2019, came in at 99.98 percent. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un also took part in the vote, visiting a polling place in South Hamgyong Province.
South Korea's unification ministry has said the recent change in the North's election system does not indicate the introduction of free elections in the reclusive regime and is rather seen as an attempt to manage public opinion amid prolonged economic difficulties. (Yonhap)
US to oppose North Korean worker dispatch to occupied Ukrainian territory: State Dept.2024-09-22 04:08
Check out Hulu's timely Super Bowl spot for 'The Handmaid’s Tale'2024-09-22 03:35
Alien memes are back in action as people gather near Area 512024-09-22 03:14
UN Security Council fails to pass N. Korea resolution due to opposition from China, Russia2024-09-22 03:11
When will Trump and Harris debate? The presidential campaigns snipe over ABC News’ rules.2024-09-22 02:38
雨城区工商局:助力碧峰峡景区通过“4A”复检2024-09-22 02:18
Floods devastate North Hamgyong, at least 10 dead: report2024-09-22 01:55
Lyft acquires Blue Vision Labs to help develop self2024-09-22 01:52
9 Planetariums to Get Lost in the Cosmos2024-09-22 01:51
7月1日起 城镇职工医保实施新政2024-09-22 01:50
Apple's iPhone 17 will come with a huge RAM upgrade, report claims2024-09-22 04:30
Saenuri calls for speaker's resignation2024-09-22 04:12
N. Korea's low death count questioned amid COVID2024-09-22 03:39
Trump loved to bully Obama about vacations, so of course he's off to Florida2024-09-22 03:22
Haider all set for Paralympics Ceremony2024-09-22 03:12
Elon Musk defends meeting with Trump: 'Does not mean I agree'2024-09-22 02:46
Union Berlin lament 'frustrating' loss at Bochum2024-09-22 02:29
世界杯激战正酣 校园激情被点燃2024-09-22 02:23
提前谋划部署准备秋季开学2024-09-22 02:21
Apple reveals redesigned iPad Pro tablets with USB2024-09-22 01:55