Election commission launches probe into ballot shortage during local elections

The National Election Commission's (NEC) fact-finding committee held its inaugural meeting Wednesday to launch an investigation into an unprecedented shortage of ballots reported during last week's local elections.

The committee, comprised of external experts, seeks to determine the exact cause of the incident and come up with preventive measures after ballot shortages were reported at more than a dozen polling stations in Seoul, sparking public outrage.

"We will reveal the full truth behind the incident through an objective and accurate investigation, and disclose the findings transparently," Cho Hyun-wook, chairperson of the committee, said during the inaugural meeting held at the election watchdog's headquarters in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul.

Cho said the committee will "strictly" hold those responsible accountable and seek sweeping measures to ensure that the fairness and integrity of elections are not undermined in the future.

She also stressed that the committee members will look into the issue from an "objective and politically neutral" standpoint with a shared commitment to safeguarding constitutional values.

Following the meeting, which ran for around three hours, Cho said the committee discovered that the NEC lacked a manual for responding to ballot shortages, adding that it will request the attendance of staff and additional documents if needed.

"We have requested (the NEC) to examine the background of its decision to issue guidelines to reduce the number of ballot printouts and whether it reviewed possible repercussions of the order," Cho said.

The committee will convene a meeting daily to ensure "thorough" discussion, Cho said, noting the investigation will center on the election watchdog's internal reporting system and whether its response to the situation was appropriate.

The committee, set to run until June 19, consists of six members recommended by civic organizations, media, legal and academic communities.