Fact-Finding Committee Recommends Investigation into Former NEC Chair Over Election Management Failures

The Fact-Finding Committee of the National Election Commission (NEC), which has been investigating the ballot shortage incident during the June 3 local elections, recommended on the final day of its investigation, Friday (June 19), that the prosecution investigate the NEC leadership, including former Chairperson Roh Tae-ak.

During a briefing at the NEC headquarters in Gwacheon today, Committee Chair Cho Hyun-wook stated, "We recommend an investigation based on the accountability for the systemic failures in election management."

The 12 individuals recommended for investigation include former Chair Roh, Standing Commissioner Wi Chul-hwan, former Secretary-General Heo Chul-hoon, Deputy Secretary-General Kang Dong-wan, and former Election Policy Office Director Yoon Jae-soo. The list also includes the chairperson, standing commissioner, secretary-general, and election division head of the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission, as well as the chairperson, secretary-general, and election officer of the Songpa-gu Election Commission.

In addition, the committee recommended disciplinary action for six working-level staff members from the NEC, the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission, and the Songpa-gu Election Commission who were involved in the incident.

The committee's investigation revealed that out of 14,288 polling stations nationwide, 140 received additional ballots on the 3rd due to anticipated shortages. Of those, 91 stations actually used the additional ballots, and 26 stations experienced temporary suspensions of voting.

Emphasizing that "sweeping innovation, bordering on the dissolution of the NEC, is necessary," the committee proposed various measures to prevent a recurrence. Specifically, it suggested increasing the ballot printing buffer rate to over 70%, minimizing the use of unnumbered ballots, and reducing the scope of decision-making authority held by the NEC secretariat.

Furthermore, the committee proposed introducing a full-time system for the NEC chairperson, revising manuals to focus on on-site response protocols, establishing a real-time monitoring system for voter turnout by polling station, and including the NEC within the scope of the Board of Audit and Inspection's official duties.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.