Ballot shortages hit 91 polling stations in South Korean local elections; commission apologizes

The Central Election Commission has confirmed that ballot shortages affected 91 polling stations during the recent local elections, a number that more than doubled from initial reports over three days. The commission stated that 26 of these stations experienced delays for voters due to the lack of ballots. The most affected areas were Seoul, with 42 stations reporting shortages, followed by Gyeonggi with 23 and Incheon with 11. The commission has apologized for its "late and inaccurate reporting" on the situation. A special committee will be formed to investigate the full extent of the ballot shortage and identify any additional affected polling stations. The issue first came to light on election day, June 3, when a polling station in Seoul's Songpa district reported a shortage. Separately, the North Chungcheong Provincial Election Commission also apologized for a delay in addressing a missing voter registry at one polling station, which may have prevented a small number of voters from casting their ballots.

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We apologize for the delayed and inaccurate reporting of the situation.