Civic Groups Demand Radical Reform of Election Commission Over Ballot Shortage and Golf Video

South Korean civic groups are calling for a sweeping overhaul, even dissolution, of the National Election Commission (NEC) in response to a series of blunders, including a ballot paper shortage during local elections and a widely circulated video of an NEC employee practicing golf swings inside an office building. The Our Welfare Civic Union issued a statement on June 15th, denouncing the situation as "the height of lax discipline and poor management" and demanding "reform at the level of dissolution" for the Daegu Metropolitan Election Commission.

“

The height of lax discipline and poor management.

The civic union highlighted the unprecedented ballot paper shortage during the recent local elections, which they described as a "devastating experience" for Daegu citizens whose fundamental right to participate in democracy was compromised. This incident, coupled with the recent video, has fueled public outrage and intensified calls for accountability.

Adding to the public's dismay, the video showed an NEC employee nonchalantly practicing golf swings within the office premises. The civic group criticized the timing and context of this behavior, noting that it occurred while citizens were protesting outside the building, condemning the NEC's incompetence. The union expressed particular shock that the employee claimed to be using their lunch break, a defense they deemed flimsy, especially since the employee had also claimed overtime pay.

“

The unprecedented ballot paper shortage during the local elections caused Daegu citizens to have a devastating experience where their right to participate in democracy, the foundation of democracy, was undermined.

The union argued that these incidents demonstrate a severe breakdown in the NEC's operational integrity and management oversight. They are demanding immediate and drastic measures to restore public trust and ensure the fairness and efficiency of future elections, emphasizing that the current state of affairs is unacceptable for a body entrusted with safeguarding democratic processes.

“

Even more shocking is the time and context. According to media reports, contrary to the flimsy excuse of using lunch breaks, it was revealed that the golf practice took place while citizens were protesting in front of the building on a weekday evening, condemning the NEC's incompetence.