Election agency committee calls for criminal probe into ex-chief over June 3 ballot shortage

The National Election Commission's (NEC) fact-finding committee investigating ballot shortages during the recent local elections called for a criminal probe into the commission's former chief Friday, saying that management of the elections was marked by a "total failure."

Cho Hyun-wook, chairperson of the committee, made the announcement during a briefing at the NEC headquarters as the panel wrapped up a weeklong investigation conducted to determine the cause of the ballot shortages.

The committee recommended that former NEC Chairman Roh Tae-ak, who stepped down from his post over the debacle, be referred for criminal investigation. It also stressed that the NEC requires a sweeping overhaul tantamount to dismantling the organization.

The committee, launched on June 10, consisted of six members recommended by civic organizations and the media as well as the legal and academic communities.

Yonhap