The ruling and opposition parties will introduce multi-member districts for the first time in the June 3 local elections for metropolitan councilors and raise the proportion of proportional-representation seats among metropolitan councilors. As a result, the number of metropolitan councilors is expected to increase by 55 and basic councilors by 25.
On the 18th, the National Assembly passed an amendment to the Public Official Election Act adjusting parts of the method for electing metropolitan and basic councilors in local elections, with 184 votes in favor, 4 against, and 25 abstentions out of 213 lawmakers present at a plenary session. The amendment was first reviewed by the Special Committee on Political Reform's subcommittee on bill review and its full committee, then by The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, before being placed on the plenary agenda.
The core of the amendment is to introduce a multi-member district system in parts of Gwangju. In the four constituencies of Dongnam-gap, Buk-gap, Buk-eul, and Gwangsan-eul in Gwangju, three to four metropolitan councilors will be elected simultaneously.
The share of proportional-representation seats among metropolitan councilors will also be increased. The current law sets the number of proportional-representation seats at 10% of district-based metropolitan councilors, but the ratio will be raised to 14%. Accordingly, the number of proportional-representation metropolitan councilors is estimated to increase by 29.
The areas where the multi-member district system applies to basic councilors will also be expanded. Following a pilot introduction in 11 constituencies nationwide in the 2022 local elections, the ruling and opposition parties decided with this amendment to add 16 constituencies, bringing the total to 27.
The multi-member district system elects three to five members in a single constituency instead of the existing two-member method to reduce wasted votes and increase the likelihood of smaller parties entering councils. However, the voting method will remain the same as now, with voters casting a ballot for only one candidate. Instead, each party may nominate as many candidates as there are seats in each constituency.
Meanwhile, the ruling and opposition parties also agreed to allow non-lawmaker figures outside the National Assembly to legally operate local branch offices of party sub-organizations.