Ensuring Thorough '4·7 By-Election Safety Management Support Measures'... Guaranteeing Voting Rights for Confirmed Cases and Self-Quarantined Voters

Creating a Safe Voting Environment for Secure and Confident Voting

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 24th that it reported the 'Safety Management Support Measures for the April 7 By-elections' at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun.

These measures were prepared considering that the 2021 by-elections will be held in large cities such as Seoul and Busan amid the ongoing spread of COVID-19, aiming to create a safe voting environment where citizens can vote with peace of mind.

As the election support ministry under Article 34 of the Government Organization Act, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has consulted with related agencies including the National Election Commission, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to establish measures to guarantee voting rights for COVID-19 confirmed patients and support disinfection at voting and counting stations. It plans to cooperate with all ministries and local governments to implement the support measures without any setbacks.

Accordingly, confirmed patients and those under self-quarantine will be guaranteed voting rights as in the 21st general election. Confirmed patients are recognized as eligible for absentee voting under the current Public Official Election Act, and those admitted to residential treatment centers will be able to cast early votes at special early voting stations to be set up within the centers.

In addition, self-quarantined individuals will be allowed temporary outings only on election day (April 7) for asymptomatic and unconfirmed voters to facilitate disinfection. Voting will be conducted separately from the general public by time slots, and strict management will be ensured according to the mobility management plan prepared in consultation with related agencies.

Meanwhile, disinfection at voting and counting stations, which falls under the jurisdiction of the National Election Commission, will be actively supported by the government and local governments in terms of facilities, personnel, and supplies upon the commission's request.

Minister Jeon Hae-cheol emphasized, “In a situation where about 400 new COVID-19 cases occur daily, this by-election involving approximately 12 million voters requires not only maximum protection of voting rights but also the best possible disinfection measures.” He added, “The government will make every effort to ensure flawless implementation of disinfection management at voting and counting stations so that the by-election can be conducted safely, and we ask the public for active cooperation, including compliance with voting station disinfection guidelines.”

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