'Basket Early Voting' Controversy... 'Seeds of Dispute' Sown in a Nail-Biting Presidential Election (Comprehensive)

COVID-19 Confirmed and Quarantined Voters
Allowed to Directly Cast Ballots
Controversy Remains Despite Election Commission Decision

Ruling and Opposition Deny 'Election Fraud'
But Close Results Within 3% May Spark Fraud Allegations

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Juni Park] The National Election Commission (NEC) extinguished the urgent controversy on the main voting day by allowing COVID-19 confirmed and quarantined voters to directly insert their ballots into the ballot box. However, since this election is proceeding with an extremely narrow margin, if the difference in votes is small, there is a possibility that the loser may contest the results after the presidential election. This raises concerns that disputes over fairness could overshadow the political landscape just as preparations for the next government should be underway. Both ruling and opposition parties are on high alert to devise countermeasures.

On the afternoon of the 5th, a COVID-19 confirmed patient or quarantined individual is receiving a ballot at the early voting station in Dusan-dong Administrative Welfare Center, Suseong-gu, Daegu. 2022.3.5 [Image source=Yonhap News]

The NEC held an emergency meeting on the 7th and decided to eliminate temporary voting booths, requiring voters to directly place their ballots into the ballot box. By removing temporary ballot boxes such as baskets, which had been a source of controversy, the NEC aims to prevent any misunderstandings at the root.

Despite the NEC’s decision, both ruling and opposition parties continued their criticism. The Democratic Party of Korea sharply criticized the NEC’s complacent attitude and lack of preparation. Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party’s general election campaign committee chairman, said at the central election campaign meeting, "We thank the people for achieving a record-high early voting rate approaching 37%," but also pointed out, "There was great confusion in voting for COVID-19 confirmed patients, and the NEC’s subsequent explanations were insincere." Chairman Lee added, "The NEC chairperson reportedly did not even come to work, which is embarrassing for a country that is a model in COVID-19 prevention," and urged, "The NEC must present definite improvement measures and gain the public’s understanding." Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil also said, "I strongly protested to the NEC secretary-general and others," and urged, "I strongly call for thorough preparations again so that the public can feel the changes on the main voting day."

The People Power Party criticized the government and ruling party collectively for poor management of early voting while emphasizing the message of ‘regime change.’ Kwon Young-se, head of the campaign headquarters, said at the campaign meeting, "If the NEC, as a constitutional institution and bastion of democracy, had a sense of mission, it would not have managed voting so poorly as to use garbage bags, delivery boxes, and even employees’ pockets as ballot boxes," and criticized, "This clearly shows how lightly this regime regards the fundamental principles of liberal democracy, beyond mere administrative incompetence." After the meeting, Kwon told reporters that he plans to request the NEC to install separate ballot boxes and prepare protective suits for confirmed patients voting on the main voting day.

Three days before the main vote of the 20th presidential election, on the 6th, a "D-3" sign was displayed on the Central Election Commission notice board in Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi Province. The early voting for the 20th presidential election, held over two days on the 4th and 5th, recorded a nationwide cumulative turnout of 36.93%, marking the highest ever. However, it became embroiled in controversy over poor management of early voting for COVID-19 confirmed cases and quarantined individuals. Photo by Kim Hyun-min, Gwacheon

Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, also said about the incident, "The NEC poured cold water on the voting enthusiasm." He demanded the resignation of NEC Chairwoman Roh Jeong-hee and an apology from President Moon Jae-in. Kim emphasized, "In the history of Korea’s constitutional government, never before has the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which oversee elections, appointed incumbent Democratic Party lawmakers, effectively encouraging unfair election management. The body responsible is President Moon," and stressed, "We can change it only by voting."

Until the presidential election, both ruling and opposition parties appear to draw a line against ‘election fraud’ controversies, but concerns over poor management during early voting remain. To prevent disputes such as contestations after the election, both sides appealed for a decisive victory with an overwhelming margin. Um Kyung-young, director of the Era Spirit Research Institute, said, "If the vote results show a neck-and-neck race within 3% between the big two candidates, the possibility of election fraud controversies spreading is high."

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