NEC Proposes Full-Time Chairmanship and Legalization of Audit Body

The National Election Commission (NEC) has proposed a set of internal reform measures in response to the “ballot paper shortage incident” during the 9th nationwide local elections, including the introduction of a full-time chairman system, the legal establishment of an audit body, and the creation of an independent Election Management Assessment Committee under the National Assembly.

On the morning of June 23, at the plenary session of the Special Committee for the National Investigation on the Truth-Finding of the Ballot Paper Shortage Incident and Election Management Reform held at the National Assembly, the NEC reported these plans.

Former National Election Commission Chairman Taeak Roh submits an oath statement to Chairman Sanghyun Yoon at the plenary meeting of the special committee for the national investigation on the truth-finding of the ballot paper shortage incident and election management reform held at the National Assembly on June 23, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

As for reform measures that can be implemented immediately, the NEC announced it will comprehensively review the ballot paper printing ratio and systematically improve the overall management of ballot papers, including securing printing companies, as well as the processes of printing, storage, distribution, and post-election handling. In addition, for major election management policies, the NEC will conduct preliminary risk assessments through a review committee comprised of external experts.

Reform measures requiring legislation include: adopting a full-time chairman system, introducing multiple standing commissioners, establishing an independent “Election Management Assessment Committee” (tentative name) under the National Assembly’s standing committee, transforming and legalizing the NEC Audit Committee into an independent, collegial decision-making body, and strengthening independence in the composition of the Audit Committee by including party recommendations.

The NEC also reported the need to review the operation of a “National Election Support Promotion Council.” Since a large number of both NEC staff and ordinary civil servants are mobilized for election duties, the NEC suggested that a legal framework should be established for a joint, government-wide support system providing personnel, facilities, equipment, and other resources necessary for election management.

Meanwhile, during the special committee session, the NEC revised the timing of when the ballot paper shortage was first recognized. Kang Dongwan, Acting Secretary-General of the NEC, stated, “The Songpa District Election Commission first became aware of concerns over ballot paper shortages at 11:34 a.m., after receiving a report from Jamsil 4-dong.” This is approximately six minutes earlier than the finding (11:40 a.m.) of the NEC Truth-Finding Committee. In addition, the NEC corrected the number of polling stations that received additional ballot papers to 141, which differs from the Truth-Finding Committee’s announcement of 140.

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