Jang Donghyuk Considers Election Annulment Lawsuit... Dispute Over Vote Counting Suspension Authority Between National and Seoul Election Commissions (Comprehensive)

"NEC Says It Is Under City and Provincial Commissions' Authority, Seoul Says 'No Regulations'"
People Power Party: "Election Tainted"... Considering Legal Action

The People Power Party has repeatedly demanded a halt to the ballot counting process in Seoul in response to the ballot paper shortage incident, visiting both the National Election Commission and the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission to lodge protests.

Regarding the demand to stop the vote count, the National Election Commission stated that it was "under the jurisdiction of the respective city or provincial commissions," while the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission maintained the position that "there are no relevant regulations." This led to a dispute over where responsibility lies.

On June 4, Jang Donghyuk, Standing Election Countermeasures Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, visited the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission in the early morning hours to demand a halt to the ballot count due to the ballot paper shortage incident.

Jang Donghyuk, Standing Election Countermeasures Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is leaving after visiting the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission on the 4th to protest the shortage of ballot papers at polling stations during the June 3 local elections. Photo by Yonhap News

He argued, "We do not know how many people had their voting rights infringed, and since voting took place even after the exit poll results were announced, the election outcome has already been compromised. With simultaneous elections for metropolitan mayors and governors, basic local government heads, metropolitan and basic council members, and superintendents of education, no one can determine which election was affected or how."

He continued, "We cannot even know how many voters gave up voting or came to vote but ended up leaving. The issue is not simply about the impact on the election, but rather that the integrity of the election itself has been seriously compromised."

Jang especially criticized the National Election Commission and Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission for shifting responsibility regarding the authority to halt the vote count. He pointed out, "The National Election Commission says it is a matter for the city or provincial commissions to decide, while the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission claims there are no regulations. This is a critical issue that could lead to a re-election, yet neither institution is making a responsible decision."

He also stated, "The chairperson of the National Election Commission officially told the People Power Party that 'the authority to halt the vote count lies with the city or provincial commissions, and the National Election Commission can only make recommendations.' If that is the case, shouldn't the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission make the decision?"

In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission avoided giving a direct answer, saying that there are no regulations concerning the suspension of the main vote count. Jang commented, "Shouldn't the commission at least convene a meeting to discuss this? In a situation as serious as this, the election commissioners should immediately hold a meeting, make a decision, and explain it to the public."

Other People Power Party lawmakers also joined in. Park Sumin, a member of the People Power Party, criticized, "There are even reports that police and citizens are facing off at the Jamsil 7-dong polling station. Isn't managing such situations the role of the election commission?"

Earlier, Chairman Jang and People Power Party lawmakers visited the National Election Commission to protest, meeting with Secretary-General Heo Cheolhun and National Election Commission Chairperson Noh Taeak. During the meeting, Chairman Jang warned, "If the ballot count is not halted, the People Power Party will have no choice but to take the strongest measures, including withdrawing all party observers from the national vote count."

After the meeting, Chairman Jang said, "Although we demanded a halt to the ballot count, the response we received was that 'it is not within the authority of the National Election Commission and is a matter for the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission to decide.'" He added, "I will return to the party and discuss how to resolve this issue," suggesting the possibility of legal action, including filing a lawsuit to invalidate the election.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.