North Koreans vote in parliamentary elections
Analysts believe that the North Korean leader is looking to groom his successor
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Sunday, 08, Mar 2009 12:10
North Koreans are voting in parliamentary elections today in what is being seen as a key indicator to the succession of Kim Jong-il.
The elections are usually seen as a formality as all 687 districts in the country field only one candidate per seat. Candidates to the country's Supreme People's Assembly are thus elected unopposed.
In the previous elections in 2003, turnout was 99.9 per cent with each candidate being elected unopposed with 100 per cent of the ballots cast.
Analysts are seeing this election as significant as one of current leader Kim Jong-il's sons, Kim Jong-un, could be put forward for a seat in the country's legislature and hence be put on to the path of succeeding his 67-year-old father.
North Korea has previously rejected widespread reports of its leader's poor health after suffering from a stroke as a "conspiracy" against its government.
The elections come amid heightened tensions as North Korea warned it could not guarantee the security of civilian airplanes during war games between the US and neighbouring South Korea.
The US and South Korea have also criticised moves by the authoritarian state to launch a communications satellite into space by saying that North Korea could be planning to test a nuclear capable missile instead.