Song Eon-seok: 'Suspend Seoul Vote Count and Postpone Local Elections'

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[Financial News] Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party and co-chair of its election committee, called on June 3 for the suspension of the Seoul vote count and a postponement of the local elections after some polling places ran short of ballots in the June 3 local elections.
\rBallot shortages were reported at some polling stations in Songpa District, Seoul, and Incheon, forcing voters to delay casting their ballots. The National Election Commission (NEC) is sending additional ballots to the affected polling places. Voting at Jamsil 7-dong Polling Place No. 2 will continue until 10 p.m.
\rAt a briefing at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Song said, "An unprecedented situation occurred today, June 3, in which people in Seoul were unable to vote because of a shortage of ballots. This is a serious violation of voting rights and political rights." He added, "I urge the immediate suspension of the Seoul vote count. I formally request that the election be postponed under Article 196 of the Public Official Election Act."
Under Article 196 of the Public Official Election Act, if a 'natural disaster, other calamity, or other unavoidable reason' occurs, the chair of the relevant local election commission must consult with the local government head and postpone the election in the case of local elections. The People Power Party viewed the ballot shortage as such an unavoidable reason.
\rSong also said, "Last year, in Berlin, Germany, the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany declared an election invalid and ordered a rerun, citing the election authorities' overall mismanagement, which obstructed the exercise of voting rights and distorted the election result." He added, "If the count is forced ahead by the government in a coercive and continuous manner, and the result differs from what the public believes, a popular resistance movement will inevitably arise."
The NEC explained that the ballot shortage occurred because turnout was higher than in the previous election. In response, Song said, "That explanation is completely unacceptable. This did not happen even in areas with much higher turnout." He noted, "If people are prevented from voting for more than an hour, some may be unable to vote because of personal schedules, health issues, or other individual reasons."
He also pointed out, "There are also serious doubts about whether ballots are being properly managed during the hurried transfer from other locations." He added, "Since voting is being extended beyond 6 p.m., it is difficult to rule out the possibility that exit poll results could influence voting."
He went on to claim, "At Jamsil 7-dong Polling Place No. 2, there are still citizens waiting to vote, yet officials are trying to retrieve the ballot box, leading to a standoff between citizens and police." He said, "This appears to be a clearly illegal attempt to seize the ballot box."
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haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter