Concerns are growing that the scale of the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections may be larger than initially reported. The Reform Party has received a report from the National Election Commission (NEC) indicating the potential need for re-elections in certain areas.
On June 8, Chun Ha-ram, the floor leader of the Reform Party, stated at a National Assembly press conference, "I received a report from the NEC's deputy secretary-general regarding the current status of the ballot shortage situation."
According to Chun, the NEC has identified that 50 polling stations nationwide have experienced actual ballot shortages. Among these, 22 polling stations required voters to wait before casting their ballots.
However, this figure is based on preliminary counts as of June 5, and it is expected that the number may increase following further verification.
In fact, the NEC reported that concerns over ballot shortages prompted the urgent dispatch of additional ballots to 67 polling stations across the country. Of these, 50 experienced actual shortages, while the remaining 17 received extra ballots as a precautionary measure, even though they did not face shortages.
Additionally, it has been revealed that the decision to extend voting hours at some polling stations in Seoul until 10 p.m. was made unilaterally by the chair of the Seoul Election Commission.
In response, Chun emphasized the potential legal implications and the need for a "selective re-election" in certain districts where voters faced delays. The Reform Party plans to file a petition for the annulment of some elections in Seoul due to the ballot shortage.
Chun explained that during the report, the NEC indicated that if there are objections regarding the validity of the elections, petitions and lawsuits could be filed.
Following this news, reactions online included comments such as, "Isn't this a violation of voting rights?", "Fifty polling stations is not just a simple mistake", "Re-elections seem necessary", and "The NEC must be held accountable".
Meanwhile, the NEC is reportedly conducting further investigations to determine the exact scale and circumstances of the ballot shortage.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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