Election Chief Notified of Ballot Shortage Just 40 Minutes Before Polls Closed

South Korea's National Election Commission (NEC) faced scrutiny over its handling of ballot paper shortages during the June 3 local elections. The commission's chairman, Noh Tae-ak, was reportedly informed of the issue only 40 minutes before voting concluded, despite an earlier complaint call.

According to data released by lawmaker Yoon Kun-young's office, the NEC's election situation room received a protest call about ballot shortages at 4:25 p.m. on election day. This call originated from the third polling station in Garak 2-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. The NEC had previously stated it first became aware of the shortage around 5:08 p.m., meaning the initial complaint call came 43 minutes earlier than officially acknowledged.

Chairman Noh Tae-ak was then briefed verbally around 5:20 p.m., leaving just 40 minutes before polls closed at 6:00 p.m. The NEC's fact-finding committee had stated that the commission was unaware of the situation until a citizen's complaint was received around 5:00 p.m. The timing of these events raises questions about the commission's awareness and response protocols during critical election periods. The exact actions taken by Noh and the NEC between the first complaint call and the official report to the chairman require further clarification.