Early Voting Starts Tomorrow for Two Days; New Transparent Ballot Boxes Unveiled

Early voting for the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections and National Assembly by-elections is set to commence on May 29th and will continue for two days. This period allows voters to cast their ballots at any of the 3,571 polling stations across the country between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily, regardless of their residential location.

Eligible voters will receive seven ballot papers for the local elections. Those in constituencies holding National Assembly by-elections will receive an additional eighth ballot. To vote, individuals must present a government-issued identification card that includes their date of birth and photograph, such as a resident registration card, passport, or driver's license.

Preparations for the early voting are underway nationwide. On May 28th, the day before voting begins, election officials were seen finalizing polling station setups and conducting final checks. Noh Tae-ak, the Chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC), visited several polling stations in Gyeonggi and Seoul to inspect facilities, review mock voting procedures, and ensure the proper coordination with police personnel.

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The NEC will make every effort to ensure voters can participate in early voting with peace of mind.

Chairperson Noh emphasized the NEC's commitment to ensuring a secure and trustworthy voting process. "The NEC will make every effort to ensure voters can participate in early voting with peace of mind," he stated, urging eligible citizens who might find it difficult to vote on the official election day to utilize the early voting option.

A notable change for this election is the introduction of a new type of ballot box. This updated design combines the traditional bag-style (haengnang-sik) ballot box, which is easier to transport and store for in-district voting, with a transparent base. This innovation aims to enhance transparency in the ballot counting process.

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We urge voters who may find it difficult to vote on election day to please participate in early voting.