Parties demand election chief's resignation over ballot shortages, citing 'fraud conspiracy' fears

Following a ballot shortage incident at some polling stations during South Korea's June 3 local elections, progressive parties are demanding the resignation of National Election Commission (NEC) Chairman Noh Tae-ak. They argue the unprecedented logistical failure has provided fertile ground for "election fraud conspiracy" theorists.

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Now is not the time. In this sensitive period when forces are keenly watching for any opportunity to spread 'election fraud conspiracies' and shake election results, the NEC, which oversees national election affairs, has instead ignited controversy with absurd mismanagement.

The Jinbo Party stated on July 4 that the NEC's "absurd mismanagement" has ignited controversy during a sensitive period when "those who plot 'election fraud conspiracies' are watching for any opportunity to shake election results." The party questioned how the public could trust the fairness of elections under such circumstances, condemning the NEC's actions for eroding confidence in the democratic process.

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How can we tell the public to trust the fairness of the election in this situation? We strongly condemn the NEC's actions that have driven down the credibility of elections, the foundation of democracy, to the bottom.

The Jinbo Party further asserted that the incident has given the People Power Party and far-right groups a convenient excuse. They accused the People Power Party of immediately calling for vote counting to be halted and filing lawsuits to nullify the election, while far-right groups engaged in late-night protests to spread election fraud theories. The party concluded that the NEC provided the decisive "ammunition" for these groups and called for the immediate resignation of Chairman Noh Tae-ak and all NEC leadership.

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This incident has provided the People Power Party and far-right groups with an excellent excuse. The People Power Party, as if waiting, has mobilized all its forces, talking about 'halting the vote count' and 'election invalidity lawsuits,' inciting election denial.

The Justice Party also strongly criticized the NEC, stating the incident allowed the People Power Party, which was struggling, to rally support. The party claimed the NEC failed to uphold election fairness and instead provided "the worst possible ammunition" to figures like Hwang Kyo-ahn, who promote election fraud conspiracies. The Justice Party expressed deep regret over the timing of the incident, which occurred during a critical period for rooting out "elements of sedition" and expelling conspiracy theorists. They echoed the call for Noh Tae-ak's immediate resignation and urged the People Power Party, particularly leader Jang Dong-hyuk, to refrain from spreading conspiracy theories, warning that the public sees through their "incompetent party's" reliance on such claims.

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The NEC is none other than the entity that provided them with decisive ammunition. We demand the immediate resignation of NEC Chairman Noh Tae-ak and all leadership who brought the situation to this point.