The Democratic Party of Korea "election system reform task force (TF)" has launched discussions on structural reform of the National Election Commission overall, prompted by the ballot paper shortage that occurred in the June 3 local elections. The TF said it will push a comprehensive overhaul of the system that goes beyond the commission's own improvement plan to include legal revisions and even a constitutional amendment.
On the 16th, the TF held its second meeting at the National Assembly and said it would reform the National Election Commission's overall election management system. Song Ki-heon, who serves as the TF's Director General, said, "The commission has not been subject to sufficient checks and oversight on the grounds that it is an independent constitutional body," and noted, "No longer can lip-service self-reform resolve the current comprehensive incompetence."
Song added, "Now it must change completely," and said, "We will strongly push fundamental reforms by requiring objective audits by outside bodies and expanding the current part-time structure into a standing commissioners system."
Kim Young-bae, the deputy head, proposed a "two-track" reform plan that combines legislation and constitutional revision. He said, "We will pursue as the first stage, by the regular session this year, legal amendments including adoption of a standing chair system, expansion of standing commissioners, and establishment of an independent internal audit body within the commission," and added, "For matters requiring constitutional revision, such as specifying audits by the Board of Audit and Inspection, we plan to proceed in early next year as the second stage."
That day, the National Election Commission was also said to have reported five improvement measures to prevent a recurrence of the ballot paper shortage. ▲ Full reexamination of criteria for calculating printing paper ▲ Establishing a system for real-time monitoring and immediate reporting of remaining quantities by polling station ▲ Preparing regulations and manuals related to procedures for additional distribution of ballot papers ▲ Reinforcing on-site response personnel on election day and introducing a "dedicated emergency response personnel system" ▲ Institutionalizing regular training for emergency response were included.
Within the TF, the view is that the commission's own improvement measures are unlikely to be sufficient for reform. Lee Ju-hee, a TF Commissioner, met with reporters immediately after the meeting and said, "We are not saying we will draw up improvement measures based only on what was reported this time," and added, "There are several laws that need to be reviewed, including the National Election Commission Act and the Public Official Election Act, so it is necessary to look at them comprehensively."
The Democratic Party plans to hold a related forum at the National Assembly on the 17th to gather expert opinions and, at the same time, compile alternatives from various sectors to prepare a concrete reform roadmap.