Voters wait due to a shortage of ballots at the polling station set up at the Ssangyong Apartment Management Office in Garak-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul on June 3. [Photo=Yonhap News]
During the local elections on June 3, some voters were turned away due to a shortage of ballots at polling stations. The National Election Commission responded by sending additional ballots and allowing voters waiting in line to cast their votes after the official closing time. However, the People Power Party expressed strong opposition to the situation.
On June 3, Jeong Hee-yong, the party's secretary-general, stated at the party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, "The occurrence of voters being unable to vote due to a shortage of ballots goes beyond mere preparation issues; it is a dereliction of election management duties. We cannot contain our dismay."
He further emphasized, "The cause of this incident must be clearly explained to the public. The People Power Party will not overlook the previous controversy over ballot transparency and the current shortage of ballots."
The People Power Party's Seoul chapter confirmed that there was a shortage of ballots at several polling stations in Gangnam, Songpa, and Gwangjin districts. While the Election Commission hurriedly dispatched additional ballots, some voters chose to leave without voting.
Bae Hyun-jin, chair of the Seoul chapter, criticized the situation, stating, "This is not just a simple mistake; it demonstrates a complete breakdown of the basic election management system and undermines the foundations of democracy."
Given that the ballot shortage occurred in areas traditionally supportive of the People Power Party, the implications of this incident are expected to be significant. In response, Shin Dong-wook, chair of the Fair Election Assurance Committee, visited the National Election Commission in the evening to lodge a protest.
On June 3, Jeong Hee-yong, the party's secretary-general, stated at the party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, "The occurrence of voters being unable to vote due to a shortage of ballots goes beyond mere preparation issues; it is a dereliction of election management duties. We cannot contain our dismay."
He further emphasized, "The cause of this incident must be clearly explained to the public. The People Power Party will not overlook the previous controversy over ballot transparency and the current shortage of ballots."
The People Power Party's Seoul chapter confirmed that there was a shortage of ballots at several polling stations in Gangnam, Songpa, and Gwangjin districts. While the Election Commission hurriedly dispatched additional ballots, some voters chose to leave without voting.
Bae Hyun-jin, chair of the Seoul chapter, criticized the situation, stating, "This is not just a simple mistake; it demonstrates a complete breakdown of the basic election management system and undermines the foundations of democracy."
Given that the ballot shortage occurred in areas traditionally supportive of the People Power Party, the implications of this incident are expected to be significant. In response, Shin Dong-wook, chair of the Fair Election Assurance Committee, visited the National Election Commission in the evening to lodge a protest.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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