JOHNSON'S ELECTORAL SIDESHOW IN SOUTH VIETNAM
According to the figures released by the Saigon puppet regime, 4,274,812 of south Vietnam's 5,289,652 "registered voters" cast ballots September 11 in choosing a 117-member constituent assembly. Both Ky and the Johnson administration are trying to paint this "80.8 per cent turnout" as a great triumph, "evident of a great upwelling of 'democratic' spirit among the Vietnamese."
Having put on this sideshow in response to pressure from the Buddhist leadership to oust Ky and hold elections, it was to be expected that Washington's propaganda experts would do their utmost to turn the outcome into a "victory," particularly on the eve of the November elections in the United States.
Several things should be noted about Johnson's latest "victory" in Vietnam. First of all, the National Liberation Front, which represents the majority of the population was excluded. The NLF, of course, opposed the "election" as fraudulent.
Secondly, all the candidates had to be approved by the Ky regime; that is, in the final analysis by the imperialist invading forces.
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Thirdly, the "election" took. place amid some of the most sickening and frightful scenes of mass slaughter in modern times -scarcely a framework for a free election.
Fourthly, the "registered voters" had a high interest in making sure that they obtained proof of having voted. Failure to have the. card showing they had voted might well mean death. . \Pinally, the. "assembly" that was chosen has power only. to. draw up a constitution. It cannot pass legislation. Above all, it. is powerless to exercise the only right. that would prove it: to be a sovereign parliament; namely, the right to end the war and request the invading imperialist troops to get out of Vietnam.
"LIKE