Global Election Postponements Due to COVID-19... What Will Happen in Korea?

On the 16th, employees at the Gwacheon Central Election Commission are inspecting voting-related materials. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The National Election Commission (NEC) has established guidelines for operating polling stations to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). However, as major countries such as France have postponed their election schedules, opinions are emerging that the postponement of the April 15 general election should be reconsidered.

According to the polling station operation guidelines announced by the NEC on the 19th, the NEC will conduct disinfection work at approximately 3,500 early voting stations and about 14,300 polling stations on election day by the day before voting. Once disinfected, these polling stations will prohibit entry by outsiders until voting begins.

Voters coming to the polling stations must wear masks, and after sanitizing their hands with disinfectant provided on-site, they must also wear sanitary gloves prepared by the NEC to enter the polling station. Additionally, the NEC plans to focus all efforts on infection prevention by frequently disinfecting items and facilities that voters touch.

Despite these measures, netizens have expressed anxiety. Since polling stations are enclosed spaces where many unspecified people gather, there is concern that they could become the source of a mass infection. One netizen commented on a related article, saying, "Let's not hold the election. Is the election more important than people's lives? What if a mass infection occurs at the polling station?will anyone take responsibility?" and criticized, "Other countries are postponing elections, so why are we holding the general election in this situation?"

Concerns have also been raised about vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and the elderly. In particular, since the condition of elderly individuals can deteriorate rapidly if infected with COVID-19, special caution is required.

In fact, due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, countries around the world are adjusting their election schedules. In France, the abstention rate in the first round of local elections held on the 15th (local time) reached 56%. This is about 20 percentage points higher than in the 2014 local elections, marking a historic low turnout. Consequently, the French government postponed the runoff local elections scheduled for the 22nd.

The UK government also decided to postpone local elections originally scheduled for May 7 by one year due to the impact of COVID-19. The United States is doing the same. Kentucky, which had a primary scheduled for May 19, postponed the voting date to June 23, and Georgia changed its election date from the 24th to May 19.

Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University’s Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, "Even if the general election is postponed, it cannot be delayed for long. Since the term of the 20th National Assembly expires on May 29, postponing beyond that would result in the absence of the legislative body," adding, "Since the postponement can only be for a few weeks, I wonder if postponing has much significance."

The government also maintains the position of proceeding with the general election as scheduled. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at a meeting of ministers related to election support held at the Government Seoul Office on the 18th, "Since this election is held under the COVID-19 situation, voters who are worried about infection may not participate, resulting in a low turnout," but added, "The government will spare no effort to support the implementation of related measures so that voters can vote with peace of mind."

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