The Korean Bar Association urged a fact-finding investigation into the June 3 local election ballot paper shortage, calling it "a grave situation that failed to protect suffrage."
On the 6th, the association issued a statement saying, "The National Election Commission must not downplay this situation as a mere clerical error," adding, "As a constitutional body, it must regard this as a grave situation in which it failed to protect the people's suffrage."
The association took issue with the following regarding the situation: ▲ voting was halted due to a shortage of ballot papers ▲ voters waited a considerable time until the papers arrived, with some giving up on voting ▲ voting continued after broadcasters released exit poll results.
The association noted, "The election commission bears a constitutional duty to ensure that all citizens can exercise their voting rights fairly and equally," adding, "This situation is a grave problem that undermines trust in the fairness of the electoral system."
It added, "The people's suffrage was infringed, and the constitutional values of popular sovereignty and representative democracy were damaged," criticizing, "Halting voting procedures merely on the grounds of a failure in demand forecasting is a neglect of the basic duty of election management and is utterly unacceptable in a democratic country."
The association also stressed that this situation cannot be dismissed as confusion that occurred at only a few polling stations.
The association said, "During election day voting, a total of 67 polling stations nationwide lacked ballot papers and required additional deliveries, and at 22 polling stations voting was temporarily halted in the process," adding, "Serious deficiencies were exposed in core areas of election management, including ballot paper demand forecasting, printing and distribution standards, and emergency response systems."
It continued, "The National Election Commission must clearly disclose to the public how this situation arose and where responsibility lies," adding, "In particular, it must provide a responsible explanation as to why the ballot paper shortage occurred, why such a situation was not prevented in advance, and whether the on-site response was appropriate."
In particular, the association called for a fact-finding investigation by outside experts.
The association said, "Through an objective fact-finding process involving outside experts, the causes of this situation must be thoroughly identified," adding, "A comprehensive review is needed of response manuals for emergencies that could restrict voters' exercise of their voting rights, including ballot paper shortages."
It added, "The investigation's findings and follow-up measures must be disclosed transparently to the public, and effective measures to prevent a recurrence must be established so that the exercise of the people's suffrage is never again delayed or suspended."