The rival parties submitted a request for a parliamentary investigation to uncover the truth behind the shortage of ballot papers in the June 3 local elections. The National Assembly plans to consider a special counsel investigation into the ballot paper shortage based on the results of the inquiry.
The Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party submitted their respective requests for a parliamentary investigation to the National Assembly's bill office in the afternoon and morning, respectively. Based on the requests each party submitted, the two parties plan to draw up an investigation plan that includes the composition of Commissioners and the scope of the inquiry.
Cheon Jun-ho, the Democratic Party floor deputy chief for operations, met with reporters after submitting the request in the afternoon and said, "Ballot papers are an official document by which the sovereign people delegate power and the most basic means that makes democracy work," adding, "The ballot paper shortage is a grave matter that shakes confidence in democratic procedures and makes light of popular sovereignty."
He added, "The election commission's fatal mismanagement is leaving unnecessary suspicions about the fairness of the election and leading to intensified social conflict," and noted, "We will thoroughly uncover the truth about the cause and circumstances of this incident and check the overall election management system of the National Election Commission and each level of election commission to prepare election management reform measures."
Gwak Gyu-taek, the People Power Party's chief deputy floor spokesperson, met with reporters at the National Assembly in the morning and said, "First of all, I think we should discuss having an equal number of Commissioners from the ruling and opposition parties, and I think, at least this time, it would be right for the opposition to have the Chairperson," adding, "The floor leaderships of the ruling and opposition parties discussed it and decided that each party would submit separately and then discuss it afterward."
The People Power Party demanded that the special parliamentary committee on the investigation have 18 Commissioners in total, nine from each side, with the Chairperson from the People Power Party. The investigation period would be 60 days from the committee's formation, with extensions possible if needed. The scope of the inquiry includes: ▲ the cause and circumstances of the ballot paper shortage ▲ the decision to proceed with voting and counting simultaneously and to refuse to halt counting ▲ a full survey of the extent of infringement on voters' suffrage ▲ the circumstances of broadcasters' release of exit polls before the end of voting and the validity of the election.