COVID-19 Confirmed Cases to Vote '6-9 PM on Election Day'... Ruling and Opposition Parties Push for Legal Amendment

Omicron Variant Spread, COVID-19 Cases Surge... President Moon Jae-in "Finalize Measures to Guarantee Voting Rights"

The 20th presidential election is exactly 30 days away, and on the 7th, a 'D-30' sign was displayed on the Central Election Commission notice board in Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi Province. / Gwacheon - Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] A plan is being promoted to allow COVID-19 confirmed patients and self-quarantined individuals to vote using the time slot after the polls close on the presidential election day. This is due to the rapid increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases caused by the spread of the Omicron variant. However, this matter requires a revision of the law.

According to political circles on the 8th, the ruling and opposition parties will hold a full meeting of the Political Reform Special Committee and a bill subcommittee on the 9th to discuss an amendment to the Public Official Election Act that includes a plan for confirmed patients and self-quarantined individuals to vote separately from 6 to 9 p.m., after the nationwide polling stations close.

Currently, the Democratic Party proposes ▲separate voting for confirmed patients from 6 to 9 p.m. on election day ▲including COVID-19 confirmed patients in the category of absentee voting, while the People Power Party proposes ▲separate voting for confirmed patients from 6 to 9 p.m. on election day ▲installation of temporary voting booths for confirmed and quarantined individuals and related facilities to facilitate access to polling stations as part of the amendment to the Public Official Election Act.

This move by the political circles is in response to criticism that the explosive increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases prevents these individuals from exercising their voting rights. On the same day in the morning, President Moon Jae-in also instructed to promptly finalize measures to guarantee voting rights for these individuals. Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi stated in a written briefing that President Moon said at the staff meeting on the 8th, "Voting rights must be guaranteed for COVID-19 confirmed patients and self-quarantined individuals who are able to vote." She added, "Relevant agencies should promptly finalize the measures being prepared to ensure that there is no disruption in the public's exercise of voting rights."

According to the current guidelines of the National Election Commission, there is no way to exercise voting rights if one is diagnosed as confirmed after the early voting days of the 4th and 5th of next month. Those who are confirmed from the 6th to the 9th of next month, including self-quarantined individuals and those admitted to residential treatment centers, cannot participate in voting.

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