Translation result.
On June 3, during the main balloting for the local elections, voting at Jamsil 7-dong Precinct No. 2 in Songpa-gu, Seoul, was extended until 10:00 PM after a shortage of ballots and related problems.
After voting concluded, a dispute over the removal of ballot boxes erupted, drawing citizens to the polling place and creating a standoff.
An official from the National Election Commission said the commission asked police to intervene to prevent the removal of the Jamsil 7-dong ballot boxes.
The situation stemmed from a shortage of ballots at that polling station.
The commission issued waiting slips to voters who could not complete voting by the 6:00 PM closing time. Because people remained in line, officials extended voting until 10:00 PM so those waiting could cast their ballots.
Delays in obtaining additional ballots and completing closing procedures kept the polling station open past 9:00 PM.
Voters who had waited for long periods continued to protest on site. Some confronted election commission staff, pressing for explanations and lodging complaints.
City councilors from the People Power Party also visited some polling stations, including Jamsil 7-dong, to challenge the commission’s closing procedures; scuffles were reported between councilors and commission officials.
At the polling place, some citizens opposed the commission’s attempt to collect the ballot boxes and demanded the vote be invalidated, while others urged calm, sparking heated exchanges.
Even after voting ended at 10:00 PM, citizens remained at the scene and the standoff over the removal of ballot boxes continued.
Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, said officials at Jamsil 7-dong Precinct No. 2 tried to retrieve ballot boxes despite voters still waiting, prompting a standoff between citizens and police. He called the action a clearly illegal attempt to seize ballot boxes.
He urged the National Election Commission to immediately suspend the vote count in Seoul.
Earlier in the day, polling stations in parts of Songpa, Gangnam and Gwangjin districts reported long lines after running short of ballots.
The election commission supplied additional ballots and extended voting to allow those who had been waiting before the closing time to cast their ballots.
Most Commented