The joint police-prosecution investigation headquarters (joint task force) probing the ballot shortage during the 9th nationwide local elections held simultaneously (the June 3 local elections) has completed a search and seizure of the National Election Commission server. With a full-fledged investigation underway, it is expected to begin summoning working-level staff for questioning.
On Apr. 14, according to legal sources, the joint task force finished the search and seizure of the National Election Commission server the previous day. It came about three days after the operation began.
The joint task force is analyzing the commission's internal messenger and approval records. Based on this, it plans to examine the process by which the commission cut the number of ballots printed on election day to 50% of the number of eligible voters, as well as the decision-making before and after the ballot shortage unfolded.
The joint task force is expected to go fully operational early next week once it finishes setting up its office inside the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. After the transfer of investigative materials is complete, it is also said to begin interviewing working-level officials at the commission as references.
Depending on the pace of the joint task force's investigation, the timing of questioning Roh Tae-ak, former chairperson of the commission, and Hur Chul-hoon, former secretary-general, is also expected to be set. The Ministry of Justice, at the request of the joint task force, imposed travel bans on Roh and Hur Chul-hoon, among others.