South Korean protesters keep calling for re-run of election after ballot shortage

Thousands of South Koreans rallied for a second day, demanding a re-run of local elections after a significant ballot shortage disrupted voting. An estimated 10,000 citizens gathered at the SK Olympic Handball Stadium in Seoul, where votes from Wednesday's elections were being counted.

The protests erupted after a ballot shortage prevented some eligible voters from casting their ballots nationwide. The issue led to the resignation of the head of the National Election Commission. According to the commission, 50 out of 14,300 polling stations ran out of ballots, and 22 experienced temporary suspensions due to supply delays.

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the ballot shortage was intolerable and a violation of the right to vote.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon condemned the shortage as "intolerable" and a violation of voting rights. He called for the disbandment of the election commission and a special prosecutor investigation. Live footage showed protesters, including conservative YouTubers, chanting slogans for an "election re-run," singing the national anthem, and waving South Korean flags.

Some demonstrators blocked the gates of the stadium, preventing National Election Commission officials from leaving. The officials, who had been inside since Friday morning, eventually departed on Saturday. The election commission did not immediately comment on their departure.

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election re-run