"It's Not Something to Overlook Just Because We Won" Na Kyungwon Pushes for 'Election Nullification Act' Over Ballot Paper Shortage

Aftermath of Ballot Paper Shortage in the June 3 Local Elections Intensifies
Proposals Include Overhaul of the Election Commission, Parliamentary Investigation, and Amendment of the Public Official Election Act

Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party, has announced her intention to introduce an amendment to the Public Official Election Act in response to the ballot paper shortage incident that emerged during the June 3 local elections. Regardless of whether the shortage affected the election results, she aims to improve the system so that if a serious legal violation is confirmed in the voting process, the validity of the election can be challenged.

Na Kyung-won, a member of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 7th, Na posted on her social networking service (SNS), saying, “Public concern over the ballot paper shortage and the controversy over the poor management of the election is growing,” and emphasized, “Correcting the infringement of suffrage caused by procedural injustice is an important responsibility.” She added, “Even when ballot counting began, I called for halting the count and holding a re-vote,” and said, “Our stance does not change just because the election results favored our side.”

Under the current Public Official Election Act, if there is a violation of election-related regulations, the election—either in whole or in part—can only be deemed invalid if it is recognized that the violation affected the election result. Na pointed out that, under this requirement, it is practically difficult to seek post-facto remedies even in cases like this incident, where procedural defects become the main issue, and therefore argued that the law should be amended.

Previously, on June 5, Na had also described the ballot shortage as a “serious defect that could be grounds to contest the validity of the election,” raising issues of responsibility for the National Election Commission and calling for a re-election. In this local election, she cited problems such as the extension of voting hours at some polling stations, controversies over the method of transporting ballot papers, and situations where voting continued after exit poll announcements by broadcasters. She asserted, “The constitutional interests being infringed upon are greater than the benefits gained by the currently elected winners,” and argued, “If procedural violations such as ballot paper shortages or poor election management are clear, the validity of the election should be contestable, regardless of whether such violations affected the outcome.”

67 Polling Stations Nationwide Confirmed to Have Received Additional Ballot Papers

According to the National Election Commission, 67 polling stations nationwide received additional ballot papers during this local election. Among these, voting was reportedly temporarily suspended at 22 locations. The Election Commission has stated that the reduction in the number of main ballot papers printed in some regions was due to the increasing trend of early voting, and expressed the need to thoroughly investigate the circumstances leading to this incident.

Kookmin Party floor chief spokespersons Kyu-taek Kwak and Sujin Choi, along with floor deputy representative Eunseok Choi, submitted a "Request for a National Assembly Investigation to Determine the Truth Regarding the Election Commission Ballot Shortage Incident" to the National Assembly Legislative Office on the 8th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Na presented three tasks as follow-up measures to be taken at the National Assembly level. She stated the need to: 1) introduce an amendment to the Public Official Election Act so that procedural violations can be challenged regardless of the election result; 2) pursue a complete overhaul of the National Election Commission and discuss a new national election management system; and 3) conduct a parliamentary investigation into the ballot paper shortage and the response at polling sites.

While mentioning the citizens and youth who are continuing protests on the ground, she stressed that the role of the political community should focus on institutional reform and fact-finding. In particular, Na stated, “I respect the view that the intent of citizens who voluntarily raise issues on-site should not be distorted by political interference.”

Targeting Pro-Government YouTube Comments: "The President Must State His Position on the Matter"

Additionally, Na continued her criticism of the ruling camp. She took issue with remarks made by a pro-government YouTube host after the election, stating, “What is even more appalling is the ruling party’s perception of the justified anger of the citizens,” and added, “A pro-government YouTube host made the outrageous statement that protesters at the site should be ‘run over with a tank, exterminated.’”

On the 5th, in front of polling station 2 in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, police dispersed protesters blocking the transport of ballot boxes. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

She went on to say, “During the Tank Day controversy, the president and ministers openly pressured companies, forcing resignations and public apologies, and there are even ongoing investigations. By the government’s own standard, the YouTube host who said protesters should be run over with a tank should be immediately arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. President Lee Jaemyung should state how he intends to respond to this incident.”

Na, a former judge and five-term lawmaker representing Dongjak-eul in Seoul, currently serves on the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee. While the ruling bloc is emphasizing finalizing the election results, some within the People Power Party are calling for a comprehensive review of the entire election management process, suggesting that political disputes over the ballot shortage are likely to continue for some time.

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