The Central Election Management Committee said a shortage of ballot papers at several Seoul polling stations does not justify postponing the election [1].
The decision comes amid concerns that logistical failures may have disenfranchised voters in key districts, potentially impacting the legitimacy of the local election results.
Reports indicated that polling stations in Seoul, including the second polling station in Jamsil-7-dong within Songpa-gu, ran out of ballot papers on June 3, 2024 [1], [2]. The commission issued an official statement on June 4, 2024, addressing the failure [3].
In the statement, the commission apologized for the error, noting that the mistake caused significant concern for voters [3]. However, the agency clarified that the shortage at some locations does not constitute a legal basis for a re-election, or a postponement, under the Public Official Election Act [1], [2].
Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, expressed strong regret regarding the decision [3]. The party leader questioned the commission's handling of the logistical failure and its refusal to consider a re-vote.
"I express strong regret over the decision of the Election Commission," Jang said [3].
The commission said that while the error was regrettable, the scale of the shortage did not meet the legal criteria required to void the process [1], [2]. The agency said that the integrity of the overall election remained intact despite the localized issues in Songpa-gu [1].
“"I express strong regret over the decision of the Election Commission,"”
The refusal to hold a re-election highlights the high legal threshold required to overturn election results in South Korea. By adhering strictly to the Public Official Election Act, the commission is prioritizing procedural stability and the finality of the June 3 vote over the potential for localized voter disenfranchisement, which may lead to further legal challenges from opposing political parties.
