In the June 3 local elections, the "ballot paper shortage situation" remained unresolved through the afternoon on the 4th, a day later. Questions are mounting over why polling places with ballot paper shortages were concentrated in the Songpa area, a stronghold for the opposition People Power Party, why only enough ballot papers for 50% of voters were prepared in Songpa District in particular, and why it took so long to supply additional ballot papers.
But the election commission has repeated only the stance that "the count comes first and finding the facts comes later." It is effectively keeping silent on the public's suspicions.
◇ Ballot paper shortage concentrated 100% in People Power Party strongholds
According to the National Election Commission, a total of 14 polling places experienced the "ballot paper shortage situation." They were in Seoul's Songpa District (12), Gangnam District (1), and Gwangjin District (1), all areas where the People Power Party is strong.
In addition, according to the People Power Party's own tally, a total of 17 polling places saw a "ballot paper shortage situation." They were in Seoul's Songpa (8), Gangnam (2), Seocho (2), Gwangjin (1), and Dongjak (1), Incheon's Yeonsu District (2), and Hwaseong's Dongtan District in Gyeonggi Province (1). Here, too, most are areas where the People Power Party shows strength.
The election commission has not been able to offer an explanation. Kim Beom-jin, Secretary-General of the Seoul election commission, visited the No. 2 polling place in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa District, Seoul, at 10:40 a.m. on the 4th and said, "We apologize for causing concern over some deficiencies in election procedures and processes," but added only, "What's important is the count." There was no explanation at all as to why the ballot paper shortage was concentrated in People Power Party strongholds.
A 41-year-old office worker, a person surnamed Shin who lives in Songpa District, said, "I'm really curious why the ballot paper shortage happened intensively in the area where I live," and added, "This is a case of infringing on the people's right to vote, and the facts should be found through an investigation if necessary."
◇ Only Songpa District prepared ballot papers for 50% of voters? Why was additional support delayed?
The part in which the National Election Commission said in a briefing on the night of the 3rd that "in the case of Songpa District, only enough ballot papers for 50% of the number of voters were printed" only raised voters' questions. There was no explanation of what percentage of ballot papers relative to voters had been prepared in Gangnam District and Gwangjin District, where shortages occurred, or what percentage had been prepared in other autonomous districts where there were no shortages. The commission only said that "within Songpa District, if a specific precinct had a very low early voting rate, a shortage of ballot papers could occur."
The commission also failed to properly explain why additional support for ballot papers was delayed. In Songpa District, some voters said they took a queue ticket and waited, but as it got late they eventually went home without voting. In a briefing on the night of the 3rd, the commission said, "To prepare for damage and the like, district and city/county election commissions hold numberless ballot papers without serial numbers and, if a shortage occurs, enter serial numbers and distribute them," adding, "If that is still not enough, remaining stock at nearby polling places can be used."
A 72-year-old housewife, a person surnamed Choi who lives in Songpa District, said, "I have been voting for more than 50 years, and I have never seen a ballot paper shortage," adding, "From the commission's explanation, it sounds like the shortage could be quickly filled, but that didn't happen and they extended voting until 10 p.m., which I can't accept."
◇ Ballot papers brought in plastic bags… election commission sees more leave taken during election preparation periods
There are other questions. A couple in their 60s who were met in Songpa District on the 3rd said, "An election commission staffer carried the ballot papers in a shopping bag." They added, "We never paid heed to the election fraud stories circulating on YouTube, but seeing an absurd scene with our own eyes was shocking." It evokes memories of the "basket voting" controversy during the 2022 presidential election.
A 52-year-old housewife, a person surnamed Kim who lives in Seoul's Seocho District, said, "I hear election commission staff take concentrated leave during election preparation periods in election years—doesn't managing elections like this cause problems?"
As of Apr. 1, the number of election commission employees on leave stood at 176. This is the second-highest figure in the past 10 years. The phenomenon of more commission staff taking leave ahead of the so-called "three major elections" — the presidential, National Assembly, and local elections — has been repeated.