The Election Commission Announces Absentee Voting Registration for COVID-19 Confirmed Cases from 24th to 28th

On the 20th, about two months before the 21st National Assembly election, officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission are posting streetlight banners encouraging voter participation near Gate 1 of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The National Election Commission announced on the 10th that voters who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently hospitalized, in a residential treatment center, or under home quarantine can apply for absentee voting from the 24th to the 28th.

The Election Commission considers these individuals as "persons residing in hospitals, nursing homes, detention centers, etc., or those who are physically unable to move due to severe disabilities," as stipulated in the Public Official Election Act. Absentee voting is a system that allows voters who are unable to visit polling stations due to physical difficulties to vote by mail at the hospital, nursing home, or similar place where they are staying.

Those who have not tested positive before the absentee voting application period ends and those who test positive after the application period are excluded from absentee voting eligibility. The application form must be mailed so that it arrives at the head of the district, city, or county office by 6 p.m. on the 28th.

Whether a person is eligible for absentee voting will be confirmed by the hospital director for those hospitalized, by the Minister of Health and Welfare for those in residential treatment centers, and for those under home quarantine, the head of the relevant district, city, or county office will collectively verify the list.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.