Independent lawmaker to propose bill restricting election commission staff leave during polls

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon is set to propose legislation aimed at curbing the practice of election commission staff taking extensive leave during national election periods. Han argues that the current system allows for a surge in vacations and leaves of absence among election management officials precisely when their duties are most critical, leading to a decline in the quality of election oversight.

Citing official data, Han highlighted a significant increase in staff absences during election cycles. He pointed to a case in February 2021, a period without major elections, where 84 election commission staff took leave. This number dramatically rose to 226 in June 2022, coinciding with both presidential and local elections. Further evidence was presented for 2025 and 2026, with 131 and 176 staff absences respectively, indicating a clear trend of increased leave-taking during election campaigns.

"The trend in the number of people on leave clearly suggests that the number of people taking vacation during national election periods would have also surged," Han stated on Facebook. He believes this practice compromises the professional integrity and efficiency of the election commission. The proposed law seeks to address this by imposing restrictions on when election commission employees can take leave, ensuring that essential election management functions are not jeopardized by staff shortages during critical periods.

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The trend in the number of people on leave clearly suggests that the number of people taking vacation during national election periods would have also surged.