The National Election Commission (NEC), criticized for its poor management of the election situation room during the June 3 local elections, has revealed that it did not create a single situation log since the room's establishment. Lawmakers are pointing out that the absence of even basic documentation indicates that the recent ballot shortage was a 'forewarned disaster.'
According to a report by Aju Economy on July 9, the NEC has not documented any situation logs since opening the election situation room on February 27 for the June 3 elections. The NEC explained in materials submitted to the office of lawmaker Jeong Chun-sang of the Justice Reform Party that it did not create separate situation logs and therefore could not provide them.
The NEC received a budget of 101.75 million won for the establishment of the election situation room. Despite receiving over 100 million won, the commission failed to maintain proper documentation. Notably, the lack of logs hindered the NEC's ability to grasp the situation effectively after the ballot shortage occurred, leading to confusion.
The National Assembly's special committee investigating the ballot shortage and other violations of citizens' voting rights raised concerns about the NEC's inadequate operation of the situation room during a field investigation conducted on July 7 at the NEC's headquarters in Gwacheon. It was reported that the NEC only recognized the ballot shortage approximately 50 minutes after receiving its first complaint call.
In light of this revelation, lawmakers have expressed disbelief. Jeong, a member of the special committee, stated, "It is reasonable to say that the election situation room existed only on paper. I do not understand where the 100 million won budget was spent." He further criticized, "The reporting and command system did not function, and how can a situation room that does not even create logs be considered a situation room? In such a system, the ballot shortage was a forewarned disaster."
In response, the NEC maintains that creating situation logs is not mandatory. An NEC official stated in a phone interview with Aju Economy, "We did not create situation logs," but added, "This does not constitute a procedural violation." When questioned about whether the lack of logs contributed to the difficulties in understanding the situation after the ballot shortage, the official acknowledged that while logs could have been helpful for post-event verification, it is questionable whether they were necessary for proactive measures.
According to a report by Aju Economy on July 9, the NEC has not documented any situation logs since opening the election situation room on February 27 for the June 3 elections. The NEC explained in materials submitted to the office of lawmaker Jeong Chun-sang of the Justice Reform Party that it did not create separate situation logs and therefore could not provide them.
The NEC received a budget of 101.75 million won for the establishment of the election situation room. Despite receiving over 100 million won, the commission failed to maintain proper documentation. Notably, the lack of logs hindered the NEC's ability to grasp the situation effectively after the ballot shortage occurred, leading to confusion.
The National Assembly's special committee investigating the ballot shortage and other violations of citizens' voting rights raised concerns about the NEC's inadequate operation of the situation room during a field investigation conducted on July 7 at the NEC's headquarters in Gwacheon. It was reported that the NEC only recognized the ballot shortage approximately 50 minutes after receiving its first complaint call.
In light of this revelation, lawmakers have expressed disbelief. Jeong, a member of the special committee, stated, "It is reasonable to say that the election situation room existed only on paper. I do not understand where the 100 million won budget was spent." He further criticized, "The reporting and command system did not function, and how can a situation room that does not even create logs be considered a situation room? In such a system, the ballot shortage was a forewarned disaster."
In response, the NEC maintains that creating situation logs is not mandatory. An NEC official stated in a phone interview with Aju Economy, "We did not create situation logs," but added, "This does not constitute a procedural violation." When questioned about whether the lack of logs contributed to the difficulties in understanding the situation after the ballot shortage, the official acknowledged that while logs could have been helpful for post-event verification, it is questionable whether they were necessary for proactive measures.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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