The ballot was worded "I am for the unity of Germany and a just peace treaty. I therefore vote for the following list of candidates for the Third German People's Congress."[3] with voters having the options of voting "yes" and "no".[4] (German: Ich bin für die Einheit Deutschland und einen gerechten Friedensvertrag. Ich stimme darum für die nachstehende Kandidatenliste zum Dritten Deutschen Volkskongreß.)[5] In much of the country, the vote was not secret.[6]
According to official figures, 95.2 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots, with 66 percent approving the list.[2] This was the lowest level of support ever recorded for an SED-dominated bloc during the four decades of Communist rule, despite the election taking place under conditions that significantly constrained genuine political competition. In all subsequent elections until the Peaceful Revolution four decades later, the National Front, which succeeded the Democratic Bloc, would consistently claim 99 percent or more of the vote.[6]
The Constitutional Assembly adopted East Germany's first constitution in October, and proclaimed the establishment of the German Democratic Republic on 7 October. It then transformed itself into the first Volkskammer.
References
↑ Dirk Spilker (2006) The East German Leadership and the Division of Germany: Patriotism and Propaganda 1945-1953, Clarendon Press, p184
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