Election Commission Says Ballot Paper Shortage Not Grounds for Postponement or Re-Election
On June 4, the National Election Commission stated that the recent 'ballot paper shortage' incident at some polling stations during the 9th Nationwide Local Elections held on June 3 does not constitute grounds for postponing the election or holding a re-election under current law.
The commission convened an emergency meeting around midnight and issued a statement saying, "We feel a deep sense of responsibility for causing great disappointment and concern to voters who visited polling stations to participate in democracy through voting, due to the commission's mistake."
During the Seoul mayoral election held the previous day, some polling stations in districts such as Songpa, Gangnam, and Dongjak experienced ballot paper shortages, resulting in some voters having to wait. In response, the People Power Party called for the suspension of the vote count and a re-election.
However, the commission rejected these demands from the opposition. The commission stated, "This incident, which occurred due to a shortage of ballot papers at certain polling stations on election day, does not constitute grounds for postponing the election or holding a re-election under the Public Official Election Act. Therefore, it is not possible to suspend the ongoing vote count."
The commission added, "The ballot boxes must be transported to the counting centers so that the intentions of voters who cast their ballots at the affected polling stations can be verified." This statement is seen as being made in consideration of the ongoing standoff over the removal of ballot boxes at the Jamsil 7-dong No. 2 polling station in Songpa District, one of the locations where the ballot paper shortage occurred.
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The commission also announced, "Once the vote count is completed, the National Election Commission has decided to make every possible effort to investigate the incident thoroughly and to establish measures to prevent recurrence."
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