Ballot Shortage Halts Voting in Seoul Local Elections, NEC Apologizes

The National Election Commission (NEC) issued a public apology after a shortage of ballot papers prompted the temporary suspension of voting in Wednesday's local elections at some polling stations in southern Seoul.

A shortage of ballots was reported at 14 polling stations in parts of Seoul, including Songpa Ward and Gangnam Ward, forcing voters to wait until well past 6 p.m., the official closing time for voting, according to the election watchdog.

NEC Secretary General Heo Cheol-hoon offered a public apology in a televised press briefing for causing confusion and concerns, saying the election watchdog was taking the issue "very seriously."

"I feel full responsibility and deeply apologize for causing inconvenience to voters who visited the polling stations to exercise their precious right to vote, and for undermining public trust in the thorough management of the election," Heo said.

He said the NEC delivered additional ballots to the affected polling stations and notified voters in line that they can cast their ballots even after 6 p.m.

"The NEC is taking the issue very seriously. Once the ballot counting is completed, we will determine the exact cause of the shortage of ballots and draw up measures to prevent a recurrence of the incident," Heo said.

The NEC earlier said in a notice to the press that some polling stations in Songpa Ward experienced a lack of ballot papers, as voter turnout for the June 3 local elections was higher than that of the elections four years earlier.

One of the affected polling stations in Songpa Ward decided to extend the voting hours until 10 p.m. in a bid to guarantee people's right to vote, according to the election watchdog.

Earlier in the day, many voters were seen leaving the polling stations after a long wait, while some lodged strong protests at the scene.

Cheong Wa Dae said the shortage of ballots is "an issue that should be handled by the NEC," in an apparent consideration that the election watchdog is not under the executive branch, but is an independent constitutional body.

The main opposition People Power Party called on the NEC to immediately stop the vote counting and hold a revote if necessary.

The ruling Democratic Party criticized the NEC's lapse in election management but dismissed the PPP's demand for a revote as not worth considering.