Key facts
- A shortage of ballot papers occurred in South Korea's local elections.
South Korea's National Election Commission will investigate a shortage of ballot papers in local elections that led to public anger and protests. Voters faced long waits or were unable to cast ballots due to unexpected turnout, prompting calls for a revote in some districts.
South Korea's National Election Commission (NEC) announced an investigation following a shortage of ballot papers during local elections for mayors and governors in 16 major cities and provinces. The shortage, attributed to higher-than-expected turnout, led to public anger, with protesters in Seoul's Songpa district blocking ballot boxes and demanding a revote. Some voters waited for hours or left without casting their ballots, prompting President Lee Jae Myung to express "deep regret" and order accountability. The NEC apologized for the incidents, stating they would conduct a full investigation but did not consider them grounds for a delay or rerun. The conservative opposition People Power Party criticized the shortages as a breach of voting rights, while the ruling Democratic Party pledged to hold the NEC accountable for its "shoddy election management."
The ballot paper shortage and subsequent protests raise concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and could impact public trust in the National Election Commission and the government's ability to manage elections effectively.