Lawmakers join protest over ballot shortage at Seoul polling station, demand election nullification

A protest demanding the election be nullified took place outside a polling station in Jamsil, Seoul, after a ballot shortage forced voting hours to be extended until 10 p.m. on election day. Hundreds gathered at the polling station, located in a community center, chanting slogans against alleged election fraud, preventing ballot boxes from being moved.

People Power Party lawmakers joined the demonstrators. Rep. Kim Eun-hye declared, "This election is invalid. It is invalid because democracy and the rule of law have been contaminated." Rep. Kim Jae-seop expressed concern that election officials might use the police to forcibly transport ballot boxes. "This can only be seen as an intention to forcibly transport or move the ballot boxes," he stated. "The Seoul Election Commission must take action, whether it's suspending the vote count or something else, to ensure everyone can return home safely."

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This election is invalid. It is invalid because democracy and the rule of law have been contaminated.

The National Election Commission apologized for the ballot shortage, which impacted 14 polling stations in Seoul, including 12 in Songpa District and one each in Gangnam and Gwangjin districts. The shortage caused many voters to wait for extended periods or leave without casting their ballots. The commission convened an emergency meeting early on June 4 to discuss countermeasures.

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This can only be seen as an intention to forcibly transport or move the ballot boxes. The Seoul Election Commission must take action, whether it's suspending the vote count or something else, to ensure everyone can return home safely.