Special Counsel Probing Election Commission Analyzes 700+ Ballots over "Suspected Irregularities," Seeks Forensic Review

Select Challenged Ballots for Examination by the National Forensic Service
Analyze CCTV Footage to Investigate Possible Outside Intrusion

The special prosecutor team led by Lee Taehan, a special prosecutor for the National Election Commission, investigating the shortage of ballots for the June 3 local elections will begin detailed forensic examinations of more than 700 ballots as early as next week.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, protests to Lee Taehan, a special prosecutor for the National Election Commission, during a public inspection of ballots for the June 3 local elections at the Handball Gymnasium in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the 28th of last month. Yonhap News Agency

According to legal sources on November 1, the team is analyzing whether there are any irregularities in more than 700 ballots challenged by People Power Party observers, out of the 2.47 million ballots that underwent a public inspection at the Handball Gymnasium in Olympic Park, Seoul.

The team plans to select ballots requiring detailed forensic examinations and, as early as next week, request examinations by the National Forensic Service or the Forensic Science Planning Officer at the Prosecutors' Office headquarters. Ballots with damaged surfaces or signs of post-election alteration or deterioration are expected to be among those examined.

People Power Party observers reportedly raised objections during the public inspection to ballots that were stiff despite having no crease marks, as well as ballots with faint voting ink. The team also plans to include related equipment in the detailed forensic examinations.

Ballots that were not challenged are also being stored at a separate location in preparation for further inspection. They are being kept under the surveillance of CCTV, an access control system, and security personnel on duty around the clock.

The team is also analyzing CCTV footage and other materials obtained in a search and seizure of the Handball Gymnasium on October 27 to determine whether there were any signs of outside intrusion.

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