Early ballot storage sites to be streamed live 24/7 via CCTV; ballot verification step added

National Election Commission Chairman Noh Tae-ak delivers opening remarks at an advisory committee meeting for the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections, held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on May 27. [National Election Commission]
National Election Commission Chairman Noh Tae-ak delivers opening remarks at an advisory committee meeting for the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections, held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on May 27. [National Election Commission]

National Election Commission Chairman Noh Tae-ak pledged Monday to ensure "utmost care for fair and accurate voting and vote-counting management," one day before the June 3 local elections.

In a statement released that day, Noh said the commission would remain vigilant until the end to ensure voters could cast their ballots with confidence at 14,288 polling stations across the country on Wednesday.

"The NEC is keeping the early ballots that reflect voters' wishes safely stored until election day," Noh said, adding that the commission was managing the entire voting and counting process "transparently and strictly" — including streaming live CCTV footage of early ballot storage sites around the clock and adding a ballot verification step.

He went on to say the commission would "respond with composure and strict neutrality no matter what difficulties or unexpected situations arise," and pledged to "do its utmost to judge and decide solely in accordance with the law and principles until the election is fully concluded."

Noh said local autonomy "is realized only through the sustained attention and participation of voters," describing active voter participation as "the most powerful force that compels politics to listen to the people — going beyond the simple exercise of the right to vote."

He urged voters who had not cast early ballots to go to the polls on Wednesday and "make sure to exercise your precious vote, so that this election can serve as a touchstone for firmly establishing local politics and grassroots democracy in our communities."


thanks@heraldcorp.com