Seongnam Jungwon Election Commission Reports Voter to Prosecutors for Tearing Family Ballot Paper Claiming 'Marked Wrong'

Damage to Ballots During Verification Process for Mobility-Impaired Family
Seongnam Jungwon Election Commission Reports to Prosecutors for Election Law Violation

On the second day of early voting for the 20th presidential election on the 5th, a confirmed COVID-19 patient is voting at an early voting station set up at Jeonbuk Provincial Office in Jeonju, Jeonbuk Province, guided by a polling officer wearing protective clothing.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Kim Jung-wan, Intern Reporter] The Seongnam Jungwon District Election Commission in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 7th that it has reported voter A to the prosecution for violating the Public Official Election Act after A tore up a ballot paper marked by a family member during the early voting for the 20th presidential election.

A is accused of tearing and damaging the ballot paper marked by family member B at a polling station in Jungwon-gu, Seongnam City, on the first day of early voting, the 4th.

It was reported that A accompanied B, who has mobility difficulties, to the early voting station to assist with voting.

After finishing voting, B handed the ballot paper to A upon leaving the voting booth, and upon checking it, A tore up B's ballot paper, claiming that the marking was incorrect.

Article 242 (Interference and Obstruction of Voting and Marking) Paragraph 1 of the Public Official Election Act stipulates that anyone who interferes with voting at an early voting station without justifiable reason shall be punished by imprisonment for up to three years.

Article 244 (Assault or Disturbance of Election Officials or Facilities) of the same law states that anyone who damages election management and enforcement-related facilities, equipment, documents, seals, or voter lists shall be punished by imprisonment for one to ten years or a fine ranging from 5 million to 30 million won.

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