Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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March 8, 2009

North Koreans Cast Ballots in Rubber-Stamp Elections
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=22BB702:A6F02AD83191E16013C3D0881AD7C585A13B8D4F2090AB2B&
 
North Korea's government-run Central News Agency reports that President
Kim himself ran as a candidate in a Pyongyang district, but that he
voted for an army officer from another district 
More than 90 percent of eligible voters in North Korea, including the
country's leader Kim Jong Il, cast their ballots in parliamentary
elections Sunday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il casts his ballot in
Pyongyang, capital of North Korea, in the election of deputy to the
Supreme People's Assembly on Sunday, 08 March 2009North Korea's
government-run Central News Agency reports that Mr. Kim himself ran as a
candidate in a Pyongyang district, but that he voted for an army officer
from another district. No other details were given. Election results are
due Monday. The elections in the communist country are only a formality
since candidates are picked by the government and only one stands in
each district. But the polls are closely watched around the world for
clues to who will succeed Mr. Kim. South Korean officials have said that
said Mr. Kim has tapped his youngest son, Swiss-educated Kim Jong Un, to
succeed him. South Korean news reports say that 26-year-old Kim Jong Un
is also running for a seat in this election. Kim Jong Il took office
after his father, Kim Il Sung, died in July of 1994.The elections were
not held last year after the assembly's five-year term expired,
supporting allegations that the reclusive leader suffered a stroke in
August. North Korean officials have vehemently denied the reports of his
illness. Since then, North Korean media have reported on Mr. Kim's
official visits around the country, showing undated photographs of him.
In January, Mr. Kim received a senior Chinese official, the first
foreign visitor to see him following reports of his illness. South
Korean and US officials say the 67-year-old leader has made a good
recovery from his stroke and is still in control of his country.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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