Ruling and opposition parties request parliamentary probe into ballot shortage

The ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party each filed requests Monday at the National Assembly's bills division for a parliamentary investigation into ballot shortages that occurred during last week's local elections. The parties agreed on the need for a probe but differed on its details.

The opposition proposed an 18-member special committee with equal representation from both parties and a 60-day mandate to examine the cause of the shortages, possible infringement of voting rights, and what it described as violent police suppression during removal of ballot boxes.

The ruling party submitted its request later in the day. A ruling-party lawmaker stated that the National Election Commission had recognized the possibility of shortages in advance yet failed to respond in time, resulting in confusion at polling stations.

The same lawmaker called for an examination of structural problems at the commission and its local offices, along with reform measures to protect voting rights and restore public trust.

Ballot shortages were reported at more than a dozen polling stations in Seoul. Voting was temporarily disrupted, and protests alleging election fraud occurred at one station in Songpa Ward. Police dispersed the crowd and moved the ballot boxes for counting two days after the June 3 vote.

The parties are expected to negotiate the details of the proposed probe before any plan is put to a plenary vote.