The National Election Commission ballot paper shortage fact-finding committee, which is investigating the June 3 local election ballot paper shortage, on the 19th recommended asking prosecutors to investigate former National Election Commission Chairperson Roh Tae-ak and others.
Fact-finding committee Chairperson Jo Hyeon-uk briefed the findings at the National Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, that day and said, "Given the overall poor condition of the election management system revealed in this incident, a sweeping overhaul tantamount to dismantling the commission is needed." The fact-finding committee began its investigation on the 10th and concluded its work that day.
The fact-finding committee said 140 of the 14,288 polling stations nationwide received additional ballot papers on election day. Of these, 91 actually used the additional ballot papers, and 26 experienced even a brief suspension of voting.
Chairperson Jo said, "A swift reporting chain to higher-level commissions did not function at all, and the command authority of higher-level commissions was never exercised," adding, "The Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission, due to a complacent perception of the situation, failed to recognize the gravity of the incident even by about 4:46 p.m."
Jo continued, "The Seoul commission also received requests from district commissions other than Songpa District Commission to assign serial numbers, so it should have been acutely aware of the urgency, but responded inadequately with a complacent attitude," and said, "Even after being informed around 4:46 p.m. by the Songpa District Commission that ballot papers were being sent out without serial numbers, the Seoul commission did not report to the central commission until about 5:08 p.m., when the central commission called the Seoul commission. This showed a paralyzed reporting system and the overall poor condition of the election management system."
The process of sending additional ballot papers was also poorly handled. When delivering ballot papers, party-recommended commissioners must participate and witness, but in sending the additional ballot papers this time, the papers were put in paper bags or zipper bags and sent without seals.
The fact-finding committee also found the extension of voting hours at Polling Station No. 2 in Jamsil 7-dong improper. It said the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission decided without reporting to or discussing with the National Election Commission, and that it proceeded with the ballot counting process even though some places had extended voting hours.
For these reasons, the fact-finding committee recommended requesting investigations of, at the National Election Commission, the chairperson, standing commissioners, secretary-general, deputy secretary-general, and the election policy office; at the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission, the chairperson, standing commissioners, secretary-general, and the head of the election division; and at the Songpa District Election Commission, the chairperson, secretary-general, and the election officer.
Chairperson Jo said, "Under the Constitutional Court's decision, the commission is excluded from the Board of Audit and Inspection's job audits, leaving inadequate external oversight, so it needs to be improved so the commission is also included within the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit scope," adding, "Because the chairperson serves part-time, key policy decision-making is delayed and dedication to election management duties is lacking, so a full-time system needs to be introduced." Jo also said the lower limit for reducing ballot paper printing should be raised to at least 70%.