Lawmaker criticizes NEC's 'laxity' after data shows that 179 officials were on leave on Election Day
Data provided by the National Election Commission (NEC) shows that 179 of its employees took a leave of absence during the June 3 local elections, when ballot shortages occurred.
The National Election Commission headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, on June 15NEWS1
Nearly 180 National Election Commission (NEC) employees were on leave during the June 3 local elections, which experienced ballot shortages, data showed on Wednesday.
Parental leave was among the most provided reasons for absences on Election Day, with 127 of the 179 employees, or 71 percent, citing child care, according to data submitted by the NEC to Rep. Kim Sun-gyo of the People Power Party. General illness was cited by 30 workers; family care, including accompanying a spouse posted abroad for work, by eight; and study, military service or full-time union duties by one.
Across the five elections that took place over the past four years, the number of employees on leave on Election Day has been consistently high: 196 during the 20th presidential election, 218 during the 8th local elections, 168 during the 22nd general election and 143 during the 21st presidential election.
Ninety-seven employees took leave on two or more Election Days over the past four years. Among them, 77 workers were absent on two, 19 on three and one on four.
“The number of employees on leave on Election Day has not decreased, and 97 employees took leave [on the national holiday] two or more times,” Kim said. “A thorough investigation [into the NEC] and measures to prevent a recurrence [of such behavior] must be put in place so that this laxity […] is not repeated.”
Mail-in voting papers for the June 3 local elections at the National Election Commission office in Guro District, western Seoul, on May 23NEWS1
The NEC pushed back, stating that legally protected parental leave constituted the majority of absences.
“Under Article 71 of the State Public Officials Act, when a public official applies for leave due to child care, pregnancy or childbirth, the appointing authority is required to grant the request,” an NEC official said. Although the NEC is a constitutionally independent body, its employees are subject to the State Public Officials Act.
The NEC also said the number of repeat absentees appeared higher than it actually was. “In the first half of 2022, the 20th presidential election and the 8th local elections were held just three months apart,” they said. “Because the number of employees on leave was counted based on each election date, individuals who were on leave during both elections were counted more than once, making the number of leave-takers appear higher than it actually was.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
