North Koreans voted Sunday for more than 27,000 representatives for local assemblies, with the balloting expected to unanimously favor the ruling communist party.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency said polling stations were crowded with well-dressed voters eagerly waiting for their turns…with many dancing to music of drums and gongs.

During their four-year term, local assemblies convene once or twice a year to approve budgets and endorse local leaders appointed by the communist party.

The elections are taking place as North Korea tries to boost the political position of leader Kim Jong Il's youngest son, Kim Jong Un, as his successor.