North Korea poll sparks satire as rare ‘No’ votes grab global attention
March 18, 2026: In a development drawing global headlines and online satire, Kim Jong Un has secured a near-unanimous victory in North Korea’s 2026 parliamentary elections. According to the Central Election Committee, the vote for the Supreme People’s Assembly recorded a turnout of 99.99%, with 99.93% backing the ruling party’s candidates and just 0.07% voting against them—a rare statistic in the country’s tightly controlled political system.
The small percentage of “No” votes quickly went viral online, triggering a wave of dark humour and speculation. Social media users questioned who the 0.07% voters were, with many calling them the “bravest people” in the country, while others suggested the figure may have been included to create an appearance of democratic choice.
The election follows the recent party congress where Kim was re-elected as General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Analysts view the process as largely symbolic, aimed at reinforcing leadership authority and policy direction, including a continued hardline stance toward South Korea. The new assembly is expected to meet soon to formalise key leadership positions and constitutional changes.