JIT Questions Eight On-Site Officials as Reference Witnesses in "Ballot Paper Crisis" Investigation

Reference Witness Investigation of Working-level Officials at Two Seoul Polling Stations
Verification of Election Day Circumstances and NEC Response

The joint investigative team of prosecutors and police (JIT), established to uncover the truth behind the "ballot paper shortage crisis" during the June 3 local elections, is continuing to question working-level public officials who managed the polling stations at the time as reference witnesses.

Yonhap News Agency

According to legal sources on June 22, the JIT is summoning eight local government officials who worked at the polling stations that day for questioning as reference witnesses. It has been reported that these officials were responsible for on-site tasks such as distributing ballot papers at two polling stations in Seoul where the ballot paper shortage occurred.

The JIT plans to question them about the situation at the polling stations on election day and the response process of the National Election Commission (NEC) after the ballot paper shortage arose.

The JIT is also analyzing materials obtained during the search and seizure of the National Election Commission on June 11. Once the questioning of working-level officials and the analysis of seized materials are complete, it is expected that the JIT will proceed to summon NEC staff for further investigation.

The JIT is currently focusing its investigation on allegations that the NEC hastily decided to reduce the number of printed ballot papers and failed to respond properly on election day.

It has recently been reported that during the questioning of dispatched public officials and other related personnel, the JIT obtained statements indicating that the NEC's response to the ballot paper shortage was inadequate at the time.

The JIT is also looking into suspicions that emerged after the election, including allegations of ballot paper storage boxes being discarded or lost, as well as suspicions of overseas business trips by NEC officials for non-official purposes.

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