[21st General Election] Voting Day Voting Verification Caution: "Avoid Stamping with Bare Hands or Vinyl Gloves"

Avoid Bare Hands and Vinyl Glove 'Voting Certification Shots'
Health Authorities: "Risk of Contamination, Inappropriate Behavior"
Election Commission: "All Voters Must Use Hand Sanitizer Before Wearing Vinyl Gloves"

Citizen A who participated in early voting on the 10th. A voting stamp is marked on the back of the hand. Photo by Reader Provided

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As the 21st general election is held today (the 15th), concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have arisen during the process of 'voting certification photos,' calling for caution.

During the early voting held over two days from the 10th, controversy erupted over some voters' photos showing their voting stamps. Despite all voters being required to wear disposable gloves while voting due to COVID-19 spread concerns, some violated this rule and left voting certification photos.

Voters either removed their disposable gloves to stamp the back of their hands, stamped over the gloves, or in some cases, stamped their wrists or arms and took certification photos.

This led to criticism for not following personal hygiene guidelines. Since the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted through objects contaminated with droplets from infected individuals, the act of leaving certification stamps itself was pointed out as inappropriate.

The Central Election Management Committee (CEMC) previously announced on the 19th of last month the voting site operation guidelines, stating that "safety measures have been prepared to ensure no voter refrains from coming to the polling station due to COVID-19 infection concerns."

According to these guidelines, voters must wear masks, have their temperature checked with a non-contact thermometer before entering the polling station, disinfect their hands using the provided sanitizer, and wear disposable gloves before entering. Additionally, voters must maintain a distance of at least 1 meter both inside and outside the polling station.

Given this, criticism has arisen that stamping parts of the body for certification photos should be avoided. While this is to prevent COVID-19 transmission in advance, if such actions continue, it raises the question of whether the use of disposable gloves is necessary at all.

Previously, famous celebrities such as actor Jung Woo-sung, Jo Bo-ah, and idol group CIX also faced public backlash for leaving bare-handed voting certification photos.

On the morning of the 11th, the last day of early voting for the 21st National Assembly election, a voter is casting a precious vote at the Namsan 2-dong early voting station set up at the Daegu Jung-gu Election Commission office. Photo by Yonhap News

A 30-year-old office worker, Mr. A, said, "Isn't wearing disposable gloves after hand sanitization meant to prevent possible transmission inside the polling station?" He raised his voice, saying, "They instruct voters to remove the gloves when leaving the polling station, so I am frustrated as to why some do not follow this guidance."

Mr. A pointed out, "There are ways to certify without stamping the back of the hand or the disposable gloves. You can get a voting confirmation slip or take a photo at the polling station entrance. People seem too complacent in these times."

On the other hand, some argue that additional guidance is necessary. Since stamping the back of the hand has become widely known as a 'voting certification photo,' some may not have considered the risks.

Mr. B (29), an office worker who participated in early voting on the 10th, said, "Many certification photos were posted on social media, and I did not think the virus could spread through the voting stamp, so I habitually stamped the back of my hand." He added, "There may not be many like me, but there will definitely be some on election day as well. It would be good to provide additional guidance at the polling stations."

The quarantine authorities repeatedly urged people to refrain from leaving voting certification stamps.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, pointed out at a briefing held on the 13th at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk that the act of voting certification is "an inappropriate behavior."

She emphasized, "Stamping the voting mark on bare hands can contaminate other parts of the hands, so it is inappropriate behavior. Stamping over disposable gloves may not significantly increase the risk of infection, but it is also inappropriate."

She continued, "Masks, hand sanitizers, and disposable gloves are provided at polling stations because the virus can spread through hand contact. For your health and that of your neighbors, please strictly follow the guidelines," urging once again.

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