Kim Jong-un Was Elected Unanimously with 100% Turnout

[DonViejo]

ALEXANDER ABAD-SANTOS

With a perfect 100 percent voter turnout in his district, Kim Jong-un was 'elected' as North Korea's supreme leader after also grabbing 100 percent of the vote. The news, straight from the government that oversaw the election, wasn't a surprise to Kim, or the rest of the world, as he was the only name on the ballot. "Voters in the election have no choice who to vote for — there is only one candidate's name on the ballot for each district. Instead, they have the choice of voting yes or no, and according to official accounts virtually all choose yes," the AP reports.

When faced with the prospect of gulags or punishment from a guy who has no problem killing off his own uncle, it's hard to see why anyone would want to vote no. Nevertheless, the state-run media is running with it as outpouring of love and devotion their young ruler. "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 Korean Central News Agency reported.

But even if these "elections" are pointless, they do serve a purpose for the North Korean regime. It allows them to keep tabs on the country and its citizens. The election "is also used as an unofficial census, allowing the government to check on the whereabouts of its citizens. Defectors say that some North Koreans return to the country for the election to avoid the state learning of their absence," the Wall Street Journal reports.

North Korea's elections take place every five years.

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http://www.thewire.com/global/2014/03/north-korea-says-kim-jong-un-was-elected-unanimously/358985/

[jsr]

1. It was too close to call for a while

[pipoman]

2. Fidel Castro often had 100% turnout, sometimes more. .

[librechik]

3. kind of puts in perspective our piss poor turnout in the US.

we're lucky we don't get executed for not voting.

On the other hand, they get practically everybody to the polls in Australia just by threatening a small fine for not showing up.

I would support that.

[Jamaal510]

21. Me too.

"On the other hand, they get practically everybody to the polls in Australia just by threatening a small fine for not showing up.

I would support that."

It would definitely keep the Republicans on their toes when it comes to their rhetoric, at least, if not also their policies. They would have to be more cautious to not enrage constituencies that otherwise mostly sit out (midterm) elections. Everyone is required to participate in the Census, so I don't understand why voting shouldn't also be mandatory. Make voting mandatory, but also make it as easy and as convenient as possible so that everyone will have their say in how the country is run. Of course, I doubt mandatory voting will happen here anytime soon.

[Fumesucker]

4. Mandatory voting is a good thing

It ensures participation in the democratic process..

I read it right here on DU.

[Junkdrawer]

5. Obama has 85% of self-identified Liberal Democrats....

Give this country 3 or 4 elections and we'll close the Absurd Admiration gap.

[TwilightGardener]

6. The choice was between Yes: Kim Jong Un and

No: Nobody But Kim Jong Un.

[liberal N proud]

7. Where voting is compulsory and there is only one candidate

And we think our elections are corrupt.

[PotatoChip]

11. Lol! I was going to comment on that too.

100% voter turnout, riiiiiiiight.

[ProSense]

17. .

[La Lioness Priyanka]

8. north korean politics is super creepy

i really really feel for north koreans.

[underpants]

9. Even Chuck Norris voted for him

[pinboy3niner]

10. There's a rumor that one young constituent voted for Justin Bieber

But he soon received the benefits of Kim Jong-un's Youth in Asia Policy.

[ProSense]

18. Don't joke,

that "young constituent" would likely be executed by firing squad.

Yikes!

[Arkana]

12. "Elected"?

Why do they even bother? I'd actually respect Kim a little bit if he'd just admit to being a tinpot dictator who doesn't give a shit about his people.

[Ohio Joe]

13. It's a very strange play to go through...

I mean... I am not sure I get the point of the exercise except to try and show that his grip on the country is absolute but even then it fails. I never understood why any dictator thought this was something to do.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

14. Well, look at him.

He's just so cute and loveable, like a human teddy bear.

Who wouldn't fall for that face?

[ck4829]

15. I wonder what would happen if North Korean expats had their own 'election' of sorts

People in exile getting together and choosing which top North Korean military or government official would best reflect what they wanted. I'm talking about someone inside the government of course, not another defector, oh no. Somone from inside Kim's inner circle preferably.

Then they could announce the results to the world.

[okaawhatever]

16. Karl Rove predicted a loss for Jong-un, News at 11. nt

[Arkana]

19. Ohio still has yet to report according to Karl's numbers.

Let's go over to Megyn Kelly at the Decision Desk. Megyn?

[okaawhatever]

20. +100 nt

[Jamaal510]

23. Karl: "The race is still a toss-up.

Why are we calling it so early?"

[Zorra]

22. North Korea is a shining example of the Revolutionary Dictatorship of the

Egomaniac.