Gwangju City Election Commission Advises Caution on Taking 인증샷 and Ballot Photos During Voting

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan City Election Commission has urged voters to be cautious about taking voting certification photos and photographing marked ballots during (early) voting in the 8th nationwide simultaneous local elections.

Voters are not allowed to take voting certification photos inside the (early) voting booths, but they may take photos outside the (early) voting booths or use photo zones and signboards installed at entrances to take voting certification photos.

It is also permitted to post or send voting certification photos on the internet, SNS, or text messages that show finger-marked candidate numbers or include election posters or promotional materials of specific candidates as backgrounds along with messages encouraging voting participation.

Even if only part of the ballot is marked or the marking area is filled during (early) voting, the ballot will be considered valid if it is clear that a regular marking tool was used. However, if a non-regular marking tool is used, the ballot will be invalid.

Furthermore, if two or more marks are made in the box of one party or candidate (number, party name, name, marking), the ballot will still be considered valid. However, if two or more marks are made in boxes of different parties or candidates, the ballot will be invalid.

According to Article 166-2 (Prohibition of photographing ballots, etc.) and Article 167 (Guarantee of voting secrecy) of the Public Official Election Act, no one is allowed to photograph ballots inside the voting booth, and voters cannot disclose the ballots they have marked.

Anyone who photographs a ballot may face imprisonment for up to 2 years or a fine of up to 4 million KRW, and anyone who violates voting secrecy may face imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 6 million KRW.

The Gwangju Election Commission plans to take strict measures such as filing complaints against those who photograph (early) ballots marked for specific candidates during the (early) voting process and post or send them on SNS.

They will also respond firmly to any acts that interfere with fair election management at (early) voting booths.

Anyone who assaults or threatens election commission staff, voting supervisors, or election workers, or damages, destroys, or steals ballots, will be punished with imprisonment from 1 year to 10 years or a fine ranging from 5 million KRW to 30 million KRW.

The Gwangju Election Commission stated, “We will cooperate closely with the local police to respond strongly and decisively to acts that disrupt order inside (early) voting booths, such as damaging (early) ballots or causing disturbances,” and added, “Serious illegal acts that damage election order, such as riots, disturbances, or interference with election administration at election commission offices and (early) voting booths, will be dealt with strictly under the zero-tolerance principle.”

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