Election Commission Suspends Operations of 'Zhu Wuhan Consulate General'... 'When Impossible Due to Natural Disasters, etc.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The National Election Commission announced on the 17th that it has decided to suspend the overseas election affairs of the Overseas Election Management Committee and Overseas Voting Officer operating at the Consulate General in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China).

This decision was made considering the impossibility of moving to polling stations due to city lockdowns and movement restrictions caused by the outbreak of a highly contagious infectious disease, as well as the difficulty in performing normal overseas election duties due to the inability to bring in voting management personnel staying in Korea, overseas voting equipment, and supplies.

It was deemed to fall under the Public Official Election Act's provision of "when it is recognized that overseas elections cannot be conducted due to natural disasters, war, riots, or other unavoidable reasons."

Additionally, the National Election Commission plans to establish overseas polling station quarantine measures considering the host country's environment as COVID-19 spreads worldwide, and closely cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others to adjust overseas voting return methods and routes due to the reduction and suspension of air routes.

Meanwhile, those listed in the overseas absentee voter registration list and overseas voter registration list who have not departed abroad or returned before the overseas voting period begins can vote on election day by reporting to the relevant district/city/county election commission from April 1st with documents proving their return.

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