Voters flock to polling stations in Incheon for 9th local elections

"I came to exercise my natural right as a voter."

On the 3rd, the voting day for the 9th local elections, voters continued to visit the 746 polling stations set up in Incheon's 9 districts and 2 counties to cast their precious votes.

At the first polling station in Gyesan 4-dong, Gyesan-eul, where a National Assembly by-election is also being held, voters flocked from early morning. Starting about 20 minutes before voting began, a line of about 30 people, mainly the elderly, had formed by the time voting commenced.

Voters who visited the polling stations followed the guidance of election officials, went through the identity verification process, received their ballots, and entered the voting booths.

A two-stage voting process took place: first, voters cast their ballots for metropolitan and basic local government heads and education superintendents, and then for district and proportional basic council members.

A couple in their 40s, identified as Mr. and Mrs. Kwon, who visited the polling station with their 6-year-old child, explained the voting process and its meaning by showing their own voting.

When their 6-year-old child asked, "(Dad) Who did you vote for?", the mother replied, "You can't tell them that," and added, "You vote for the person who you think will work hard for us."

Mr. Kwon said, "We came together with the hope that if we show them exercising their small rights as citizens, they will naturally accept it and participate in the same way later on." He added, "I voted with the hope that society will become better than it is today."

The voters who came to elect local leaders included the elderly with canes, couples with strollers, and residents on crutches, showing a variety of appearances.

Some voters had to turn back as they had gone to the wrong polling station.

Mr. Joo (58), whom I met at the polling station, said, "I voted with the hope that our region will do well." He added, "Whoever is elected, I hope they continue what has been done so far."

At the polling station in Yeonsu-gap, where another National Assembly by-election is being held, voters' footsteps were incessant from early morning.

Voters who visited the Seonhak-dong 3rd polling station, set up at the Seonhak Bibit Library in Yeonsu-gu, calmly waited for their turn according to the guidance of election officials, received their ballots, and cast their precious votes.

Some voters with mobility issues visited the polling stations leaning on walkers or canes, or with the help of family members.

Ms. Moon (82, female), who voted with her daughter, said, "I have a personality where I have to do things quickly if I have to do them, so I came early." She added, "Although my body is not comfortable, I came to exercise my rights as a citizen."

Ms. Lee (37), who visited the polling station with her 9-month-old child, said, "I chose my preferred candidate after looking at the candidates' pledges and the debates." She added, "After voting, I plan to spend time with my child."

Mr. Hwang (57), who came to vote after finishing his night shift, said, "I voted for a candidate whose values are similar to mine."

The Incheon mayoral candidates from both the ruling and opposition parties, who had already voted in the early voting, encouraged voting, saying, "This is a time to decide the future."

As of 9 AM on this day, Incheon's voter turnout was 7.2%, with Ongjin County having the highest turnout at 12.9%.

Incheon's early voting rate recorded 21.62%, marking the highest rate in the history of local elections.