CUT AND DRIED POLL

Chronicle (Levin), 31 May 1948, Page 5

CUT AND DRIED POLL

(N.Z.P.A.-

Rewter ,

How Election Was Conducted In Czechosloyakia

, ComriQht)

Received Monday, 10.10 a.m. PRAGUE, May 30. A . victory f-Qr the Communistdominated National Front was a t'oregone conclusion when counting started in tbe Czechoslgvak elections. The number of voters who returned blank forms in njne wards was less than one per cent, says Reuter's Prague correspopdeni. Twq villages produced more thap. 20 per cept blajik votes. The only poiht to determipe by the count is now many voters returned blank papers. A widespread lack of facilities for a secret vote destroyed Qppqsition hopes of a show of strength. ' In many villages voters with oands piaying marched to the polls behind Communist leaders aiid voted publicly, rUreign correspondents escorted on an offjcial tour of Prague polinig oootiis during voting saw clear eyidence that the vote was overvhehningly Nationalist Front. Opportunity for secret voting yaried at booths. ETvery voter at one where the correspondents looked on was shown how to vote. secretly, and most did. In anjther whe« ofhcials were unaware of tlie Press visitors, 110 attempt was made to guide the voter to a private voting cubicle, and except /nen ope set an example to others .nost voted publicly. Though the authorities said yesterday that they would not permit .udividual correspondents to enter election premises, the election jcmmittees welcomed Reuter's •orrespondent in when shown an rainary Press card. The British United Press corresicndent says that judgmg by re>orts nine out of ten Czech voters egistered their votes publicly.