The Election Commission Operates Special Early Voting Stations at COVID-19 Residential Treatment Centers

On the 2nd, the official start day of the 21st National Assembly election campaign, officials are drawing lots to select ballot observers at the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The National Election Commission announced on the 7th that it will operate special early voting stations at residential treatment centers treating COVID-19 confirmed patients on the 10th and 11th of this month.

The Election Commission made this decision in consultation with health authorities to guarantee the voting rights of voters who were diagnosed with COVID-19 after the deadline for absentee voting registration.

The special early voting stations will be set up at eight residential treatment centers in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk regions, where there are many confirmed patients and medical/support personnel. The operating hours will be 5 to 8 hours per day during the early voting period. The hours were determined considering the number of isolated individuals in each treatment center.

The voters targeted are approximately 900 COVID-19 confirmed patients and medical/support personnel currently undergoing treatment at the respective residential treatment centers as of the 6th, but this number may change depending on additional admissions or discharges until the early voting deadline.

The National Election Commission plans to pay special attention to safety since the voting stations are operated for COVID-19 confirmed patients.

To avoid contact between voters, movement paths will be separated, and after voting ends, early voting equipment, ballot boxes, and return envelopes will be disinfected or sterilized at the facility before being transported.

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