South Korea investigates election officials over ballot paper shortage, alleged record falsification

A joint investigation team is probing a ballot paper shortage incident during the June 3 local elections, with two Songpa District Election Commission officials now facing charges of dereliction of duty. The investigation, led by a joint police and prosecution task force, will question the election manager and the head of the election division for allegedly failing to anticipate and prevent ballot shortages despite early warnings.

Investigators are also examining allegations that the Songpa District Election Commission distributed ballot papers with duplicate serial numbers. The commission reportedly used a manual numbering system on blank ballots after receiving serial numbers from the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission. The investigation is looking into whether these numbers overlapped with those distributed to other polling stations within Songpa District.

Further complicating the inquiry, the task force is investigating claims of falsified voting records. It is alleged that officials at the Central Election Commission and the Gyeonggi Provincial Election Commission manipulated computer records of voter turnout. The investigation suggests these officials may have arbitrarily altered the numbers to conceal errors in inputting voter counts, bypassing the required procedures for reporting and approval.

In addition to the ballot paper issues, the investigation will also include testimony from two officials at the Central Election Commission regarding allegations of "overseas trips" taken by former commission chairman Noh Tae-ak and his spouse during his tenure. The probe into these multiple allegations underscores a broader effort to ensure transparency and accountability within the election management process.