Election watchdog officials apologize, pledge ballot management overhaul in parliamentary hearing on June 3 fiasco

The acting chief of the National Election Commission (NEC) apologized for the ballot shortage fiasco during the local elections and vowed to overhaul the election management system through multiple measures as he addressed a parliamentary inquiry on Tuesday.

Acting chairman We Chul-whan, acting secretary general Kang Dong-wan, former Chairman Roh Tae-ak and other election-related officials appeared before the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, for the special committee's first inquiry into the debacle that affected the June 3 elections, during which multiple polling stations across Korea ran out of ballots and some people were unable to vote. 

"Something that should never have happened on Election Day occurred during the local elections, causing great disappointment and concern among the public,” We said. “I feel devastated and ashamed. I am reflecting deeply on what happened and aware of the great responsibility I bear.”

Roh, who stepped down on June 8, also said that he “deeply feels responsible for the NEC’s failure to thoroughly carry out its duties" as the head of the election watchdog at the time. 

Roh tendered his resignation on June 5 over public backlash for improper election management, including the NEC’s move to lower the minimum number of ballots to be printed from 60 percent of eligible voters to 50 percent.

During Tuesday’s inquiry, however, Roh was vague on his recollection about the decision.

“I do not remember the details of the briefing of the decision, but since the reduction in ballot printing fell under the secretary general’s authority, I believe I was informed of it, even if only briefly,” he said when asked by People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Kim Eun-hye in the morning session.

But when Democratic Party (DP) Rep. Youn Kun-young asked in the afternoon session whether Roh remembered the briefing, he replied, “I still do not remember.”

The NEC, meanwhile, pledged to restore public trust with measures outlined in a document submitted to the National Assembly.

The agency said that it would improve all aspects of ballot management, including securing printing contractors and overseeing the printing, storage and distribution of ballots. As for election management policies, the NEC said it would have outside experts review them and assess potential risks before enactment.

The NEC also proposed a parliamentary committee to evaluate how elections are managed.

Several NEC officials, meanwhile, did not appear before Tuesday’s inquiry, including those in charge of Songpa District, the southern Seoul area hit hard by the shortages, drawing criticism from both the ruling DP and main opposition PPP lawmakers.

The committee had earlier agreed to summon 43 witnesses. 

“The people who did not show up all have one thing in common,” Rep. Youn said. “They are all part-time commissioners. They could not even give clear reasons for missing the inquiry. There is no way this could have happened without them coordinating with one another.”

PPP Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun also called on the election agency to take responsibility.

“The Constitution guarantees the NEC’s independence so that it can carry out its duties responsibly for the public, not so that it can infringe on voting rights and escape accountability,” Yoon said. “No institution under the Constitution stands above the people or the National Assembly. If the NEC truly wants to protect its independence, it should openly acknowledge its problems and be ready to undergo a full investigation.”

Counting in the elections was not suspended despite reports of ballot shortages in the middle of the day, with the DP winning 12 out of the 16 mayoral and gubernatorial races after the final tallies came in.

The Seoul mayoral race, however, ended with the PPP's Oh Se-hoon winning a fifth term against DP candidate Chong Won-o by about 1 percent.

While Oh did not take a definitive stance on a revote, PPP floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig said earlier this month that the conservative party will hold to account those responsible through a parliamentary investigation and a special counsel probe.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [[email protected]]