Two Candidates Withdrew... Polling Stations Without Any Explanation on Ballots

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] There were a total of 12 final candidates in the 20th presidential election. However, the ballot paper listed 14 candidates. This was because Ahn Cheol-soo (People’s Party, No. 4) and Kim Dong-yeon (New Wave, No. 9) withdrew midway. They withdrew citing candidate unification, but by that time, the National Election Commission had already printed all the ballots. The Election Commission sent these ballots to the electoral districts to be used as they were.

As the main voting for the presidential election took place on the 9th, its aftermath seemed significant. Due to ballots not reflecting the withdrawal of the two candidates, disturbances occurred at various polling stations, causing complaints from citizens.

At some polling stations in Seoul, Goyang City in Gyeonggi Province, and other areas in Gyeonggi Province, voters reportedly questioned on-site officials, saying things like, "Ahn Cheol-soo has withdrawn, but his name is still on the ballot." Some voters claimed they marked the ballot incorrectly because of this issue and requested a replacement ballot, but when officials refused, some voters reportedly tore up their ballots and left.

The same was true at the 5th polling station in Gongneung 1-dong, where the reporter voted that day. The only notice about invalid votes due to the withdrawal of Ahn Cheol-soo and Kim Dong-yeon was a banner hung outside the polling station building. It briefly stated at the bottom that votes for Ahn Cheol-soo or Kim Dong-yeon would be invalid. In some polling stations, this banner was reportedly placed in corners of the building where it was difficult to see.

Banners Announcing the Withdrawal of Candidates Ahn Cheol-soo and Kim Dong-yeon Installed Near the Polling Station
Photo by Kim Hyung-min

From the moment voters received their ballots after showing ID and checking the voter list until entering the voting booth, election observers and guides gave no explanation. When the reporter asked, while folding the ballot and putting it into the ballot box, "Why are the withdrawn candidates still listed without any indication?" the response was, "The ballots had already been distributed, so there was nothing we could do."

Candidates have the freedom to choose unification or withdrawal. This is also recognized as a strategy considering political circumstances. However, since it can affect voters’ choices, the resulting repercussions must be handled carefully. The role of the Election Commission is crucial here, but judging from the disturbances at various polling stations that day, it seems they failed to fulfill that role. Even if the ballots had already been printed and could not be changed, sufficient explanation and guidance should have accompanied the process on-site.

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