politics
Parliamentary committee holds first hearing on ballot shortages at local elections
A special parliamentary committee questioned National Election Commission officials Tuesday about ballot shortages at multiple Seoul polling stations during the June 3 local elections. The 18-member panel plans additional testimony and an on-site investigation next month.
Jun 23, 3:15 AM·1m read1 source
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A parliamentary special committee conducted its first inquiry Tuesday into the National Election Commission over ballot shortages reported at more than a dozen polling stations in Seoul during the June 3 local elections. The National Assembly formed the 18-member committee last week to examine the cause of the shortages.
Officials from the commission and other agencies are scheduled to provide a second round of reporting on July 1.
Lawmakers have agreed to summon 43 witnesses, including 27 current and former commission officials. Only one of the commission's eight incumbent commissioners appeared at the morning session. Lawmakers from both the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party described the absence of other witnesses as a collective act of defiance and urged the remaining witnesses to attend future sessions.
A former commission chairman told the committee he felt a deep sense of responsibility for the shortcomings in oversight. The acting chairman apologized to voters who faced confusion and inconvenience and said resigning now would be irresponsible.
