The World - News from Nov. 26, 1987

Suriname’s opposition front grabbed a huge lead in elections for a National Assembly and municipal and provincial councils, aimed at replacing the South American country’s military government with civilian rule. The Interior Ministry, which is compiling the election results, said the opposition had a 4,198 to 338 lead over the Lt. Col. Desi Bouterse’s National Democratic Party after 11 of 460 precincts had reported. Four minor parties had only a few votes each. In addition to the assembly, the civilian government will be comprised of a president and a state council, neither of which are subject to direct election. The president will be chosen by a two-thirds vote in the 51-member assembly.