An aerial view of Cheong Wa Dae [Yonhap]
An aerial view of Cheong Wa Dae [Yonhap]

Cheong Wa Dae drew a line Wednesday over a ballot shortage that struck some polling stations during the June 3 nationwide local elections, saying the matter was for the National Election Commission to handle.

The presidential office issued a notice that day in response to questions about whether the president might order an audit of the National Election Commission.

The NEC is an independent constitutional body, on par with the National Assembly, the government and the courts, and is not subject to the direction or oversight of the president as head of the administration. Ordering an audit of the NEC would therefore fall outside presidential authority under the principle of separation of powers.

Earlier that afternoon, ballot shortages at some polling stations in Seoul's Gangnam-gu, Gwangjin-gu and Songpa-gu left voters waiting in line.

At Jamsil 7-dong Polling Station No. 2, officials extended voting until 10 p.m. for voters who had already received a queue number.

The camp of Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon characterized the situation as a violation of citizens' right to political participation and said the NEC must take follow-up action first.


sang@heraldcorp.com