The Democratic Party's "Central Election Commission Reform Task Force (TF) for the Protection of Citizens' Voting Rights" announced plans to amend the constitution to change the name and structure of the Election Commission in response to the ballot shortage that occurred during the June 3 local elections.
On the morning of September 9, the TF reported its findings at the National Assembly, outlining proposed improvements and constitutional tasks.
Task Force leader Song Gi-heon stated that the group carefully reviewed reform measures under the principle that the Election Commission must ensure citizens' voting rights while maintaining accountability and transparency. He noted that the TF has established a direction for constitutional amendments after several deliberative processes.
Song handed the TF's report to Kim Tae-nyeon, the party's head of constitutional amendment efforts, saying, "The proposal prepared by the TF is not the final conclusion. I hope that Kim and the task force will review and familiarize themselves with it." He expressed hope that discussions on necessary constitutional amendments regarding the name, structure, and audit system of the Election Commission would advance reforms and lead to a broader discussion on guaranteeing citizens' voting rights.
He added, "We have changed the current structure of the Election Commission and the method of selecting the chairperson. The TF believes that the appointment process for election commissioners should be changed to include candidate recommendations, selection procedures, National Assembly approval, and presidential appointment. We also discussed including Election Commission officials in the audit process. Although it is a preliminary proposal, we have decided on the name 'Citizens' Voting Rights Commission.'"
Kim, upon receiving the report from Song, praised the efforts of the TF members, stating, "We will continue the achievements and tasks that the TF has built up so far."
He emphasized, "The Election Commission is an institution guaranteed independence by the constitution. However, the well-managed election system has faced significant disappointment and criticism from the public," indicating that the task force would address the constitutional amendments concerning the Election Commission as a key issue.
Additionally, he called for cooperation from the opposition party, the People Power Party, which has expressed resistance to the constitutional amendments.
Kim noted, "When I spoke with individual members of the People Power Party, they all acknowledged the necessity of constitutional amendments," urging Jang Dong-hyuk, the party leader who opposed amendments based on concerns over President Lee Jae-myung's potential re-election, and Jeong Jeom-sik, the floor leader, to collaborate constructively.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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