The final voter turnout for the 9th nationwide local elections exceeded 60%, marking the second highest turnout in the history of local elections. However, delays in vote counting are expected due to a shortage of ballots in some areas of Seoul.
According to the National Election Commission, as of 11 PM, 27,222,909 out of 44,649,908 eligible voters had cast their ballots, resulting in a preliminary turnout of 61.0%. The final tally may be delayed due to ballot shortages in certain regions of Seoul.
Regionally, the highest turnout was reported in Jeonnam at 65.7%, followed by Gangwon (64.5%), Gyeongnam (64.4%), and both Ulsan and Daegu at 64.2%. In contrast, Gwangju (54.3%), Jeju (56.4%), Incheon (58.2%), Gyeonggi (58.4%), and Chungnam (58.8%) recorded turnout rates below the national average.
This local election drew significant interest from the outset, with early voting on May 29-30 achieving a record turnout of 23.51%, the highest for any local election. This strong early turnout likely influenced the participation in the main voting day. The final turnout is the second highest since the first local elections in 1994, which saw a turnout of 68.4%. Additionally, this marks only the third time in history that turnout has exceeded 60%, following the first and seventh local elections (60.2%).
For the first time in local elections, the ballot verification process introduced in the 22nd National Assembly elections was implemented. The election commission will follow a series of procedures, including sorting ballots by election type, using ballot sorting machines, verifying counts, and confirming results before announcing the final tally.
A total of 4,227 officials will be elected through this voting, including heads of regional governments, education superintendents, local government heads, and members of regional and local councils. The terms for the elected officials will begin on July 1 and run until June 30, 2030. Additionally, 14 members of the National Assembly will be elected from districts such as Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province and Buk-gap in Busan.
According to the National Election Commission, as of 11 PM, 27,222,909 out of 44,649,908 eligible voters had cast their ballots, resulting in a preliminary turnout of 61.0%. The final tally may be delayed due to ballot shortages in certain regions of Seoul.
Regionally, the highest turnout was reported in Jeonnam at 65.7%, followed by Gangwon (64.5%), Gyeongnam (64.4%), and both Ulsan and Daegu at 64.2%. In contrast, Gwangju (54.3%), Jeju (56.4%), Incheon (58.2%), Gyeonggi (58.4%), and Chungnam (58.8%) recorded turnout rates below the national average.
This local election drew significant interest from the outset, with early voting on May 29-30 achieving a record turnout of 23.51%, the highest for any local election. This strong early turnout likely influenced the participation in the main voting day. The final turnout is the second highest since the first local elections in 1994, which saw a turnout of 68.4%. Additionally, this marks only the third time in history that turnout has exceeded 60%, following the first and seventh local elections (60.2%).
For the first time in local elections, the ballot verification process introduced in the 22nd National Assembly elections was implemented. The election commission will follow a series of procedures, including sorting ballots by election type, using ballot sorting machines, verifying counts, and confirming results before announcing the final tally.
A total of 4,227 officials will be elected through this voting, including heads of regional governments, education superintendents, local government heads, and members of regional and local councils. The terms for the elected officials will begin on July 1 and run until June 30, 2030. Additionally, 14 members of the National Assembly will be elected from districts such as Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province and Buk-gap in Busan.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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