'Encouraging Votes for Specific Candidates Near Polling Stations'... Election-Related Reports Continue in Northern Gyeonggi

Published 01 Jun.2022 22:16(KST)

7 Cases of Polling Station Disturbance and Interference, 3 Cases of Poster and Banner Damage, and 12 Other Cases

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] On the 1st, the day of the 8th nationwide simultaneous local elections, various election-related reports were continuously made in northern Gyeonggi Province.

According to the police and the Election Commission, 112 reports were received, including 7 cases of disturbance and obstruction at polling stations, 3 cases of poster and banner damage, and 12 other cases.

At around 1:30 PM that day, near a polling station in Guri City, a report was received stating that "there was solicitation related to a specific candidate," and the police are investigating the circumstances by questioning witnesses.

On election day, apart from general encouragement to vote, any solicitation within 100 meters of a polling station or that implies a specific party or candidate is illegal.

Earlier, at around 10:42 AM, a report was made that an unmarked ballot paper was found inside the voting booth at the Uijeongbu Jeil Market polling station.

The Election Commission is investigating the exact circumstances, including the possibility that a voter left the ballot paper they received inside the voting booth.

In Goyang City, at around 10:35 AM, a male voter at the Neunggok-dong Administrative Welfare Center polling station strongly protested, claiming "the voting method was not properly explained," causing a disturbance that required police intervention.

At the Haengsin 2-dong polling station in Deogyang-gu, an additional proportional city council ballot paper was mistakenly distributed to a voter, and in the same area, a banner of a provincial assembly candidate was reported to have been damaged by fire.

In front of Baekseok-eup Office in Yangju City, before the start of voting in the early morning, about 100 business cards of a specific Yangju mayoral candidate were distributed, prompting a police investigation.