North Korea to hold local elections on Sunday

PYONGYANG, July 23 (Itar-Tass) - North Korea is getting ready for the
forthcoming elections to local authorities, which will be held on Sunday.
Members of the Central Election Commission cruised around the streets
of the capital city Pyongyang and other settlement in cars equipped with
loudspeakers and called on people to necessarily vote for the candidates
and to demonstrate the unity of the nation, reminding people about the
need to perform their civic duty. Same calls were voiced by TV and radio
hosts.
The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that
the elections are regarded here, as "an important step in strengthening
the revolutionary government."
According to the KCNA, the elections would mark an occasion of
glorifying President Kim Il Sung's feats performed in the nation-building
and demonstrating the might of single-minded unity of the DPRK which has
vigorously advanced, rallied close around General Secretary Kim Jong Il
and advantages of the socialist system.
Mass meetings were held in all areas of the DPRK to expressed full
support for the candidates.
The nomination of candidates ended on July 21. Any one older than 17
years of age could offer his or candidature. Members of the people's
assemblies of the provincial, municipal and county levels will be elected
by direct and secret ballot. As only one candidate is nominated at each of
the territorial-administrative levels, North Korea has no election race,
and the agitation is aimed primarily at ensuring the highest possible
turnout.
Under North Korea's constitution, the office term of deputies of the
local people's assemblies is four years. These bodies of authority hold
sessions once or twice a year to approve the local budget and economic
development plan, as well as to elect chairmen of the people's and
administrative committees, judges and jurors.
The Itar-Tass correspondent in Pyongyang has received an invitation to
visit a polling station during the elections.