PPP, DP claim lead in 82 and 110 districts, respectively

SEOUL, March 26 (Yonhap) -- With just 15 days to go before the April 10 general elections, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) are expecting victory in 82 and 110 electoral districts, respectively, party officials said Tuesday.

The latest election forecasts by the two major political parties are based on their own analyses of various opinion polls and voter sentiment in all 254 constituencies, the officials said, noting both have yet to claim a clear lead in the remaining 60-odd districts.

Hong Suk-joon, deputy chief of the PPP's election situation room, said the ruling party is expected to win victory in at least 82 districts judging from its analysis of the current electoral situation.

"The situation is still tough but our candidates say they feel out on the front that the atmosphere has begun to improve definitely since last week," Hong told reporters.

Kim Min-seok, chief of the DP's election situation room, also told reporters that it is clear that voter support for his party has been on the rise and DP candidates seem to be leading in 110 districts at present.

"We have no choice but to go without losing the attitude of absolute caution and absolute humility until the end," Kim said.

In the Seoul metropolitan area, where 122 parliamentary seats are at stake, the PPP and the DP said their candidates are currently maintaining definite or slight leads in 20 and 97 districts, respectively. In the previous election four years ago, the PPP won in 16 of the capital area's constituencies, compared with the DP's victory in 97 districts.

In Busan and the adjacent southeastern region, most conservative candidates from the PPP are taking the lead, though neck-and-neck races are reported in Changwon and some other areas currently controlled by incumbent DP lawmakers.

In the central provinces of Chungcheong with 28 parliamentary seats, both parties have predicted a majority victory.

The PPP has predicted victory in 13 of the Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province region's 15 districts, whereas the DP is expected to sweep all 28 districts in Gwangju and Jeolla provinces.

In Gangwon Province, east of the capital area, PPP candidates are said to lead in six of eight districts.

ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)