Will the Polling Blackout That Created the 'Unpredictable Election' Disappear?

Central Election Commission Submits Opinions on Public Official Election Act Amendments to National Assembly
Includes Abolition of Polling Ban Six Days Before Election

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The National Election Commission has submitted an opinion to the National Assembly calling for the abolition of the ‘ban period on the publication and reporting of election opinion polls’ that prohibits the publication of opinion polls immediately before elections. The National Election Commission proposed an amendment to expand political freedom of expression.

On the 17th, the National Election Commission submitted the ‘Public Official Election Act Amendment Opinion.’ The proposed amendment includes the abolition of the ban period on the publication of election opinion polls, which has restricted media coverage immediately before elections.

Until now, the Public Official Election Act has prohibited the publication and reporting of opinion poll results that could predict political parties or candidates from six days before the election day until the close of voting.

The amendment opinion proposes, in principle, to abolish the ban period on the publication and reporting of election opinion polls. However, for opinion polls targeting early voters, publication and reporting would still be prohibited until the counting of the main vote is completed. Additionally, the National Election Commission decided to allow early voting exit polls, which had been banned until now. Previously, exit polls did not reflect early voting results, causing accuracy issues. Because of this, broadcasters conducted separate opinion polls targeting early voters to adjust their exit poll results.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Public Official Election Act has so far prohibited the publication and reporting of opinion polls immediately before elections, citing concerns that they could influence elections. As a result, various election opinion polls were announced just before the publication ban period, after which any reporting on opinion polls was strictly prohibited. This led to frequent cases of self-serving interpretations of election trends, and voters had to cast their ballots without being able to observe changes in election opinion trends.

Kim Bong-shin, CEO of Metavoice and an expert in opinion polls, said, "The Election Commission has imposed a ban period on the publication and reporting of opinion polls out of concern that opinion polls might influence public opinion. However, many believe that the public’s awareness has improved enough not to be swayed by malicious opinion polls." He added, "If the ban on publishing election opinion polls is lifted as proposed, significant changes are expected." Kim also noted, "In addition to the self-regulation efforts of the polling industry, enforcement and regulation against malicious opinion polls should be strengthened."

The proposed amendment also includes many provisions to greatly expand political expression. For example, while previously only candidates and campaign workers could conduct election campaigns using campaign materials, the amendment allows attaching props to cars or clothing for campaigning. Regulations on posting banners and other materials on facilities by candidates have also been relaxed. Restrictions on election campaign advertising have been eased as well, allowing candidates to use advertising within their campaign budgets.

The amendment also allows the media to rank candidates’ pledges. Currently, media outlets can compare and evaluate pledges but cannot assign scores, rankings, or grades. The amendment permits organizations other than those prohibited from election campaigning to rank pledges through media institutions. However, all verification materials must be disclosed during comparative evaluations to ensure stakeholders can raise objections.

A National Election Commission official explained the submission of the Public Official Election Act amendment opinion to the National Assembly, saying, "According to the National Election Commission Act, the Commission can submit written opinions when legislation or amendments are necessary regarding elections, national referendums, or political party-related laws." He added, "Therefore, this is an expression of opinion in the form of submitting opinions on legislation and amendments."

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