[26.06.09] 7,194 Ballots Found Short in June 3 Local Elections

6·3 Local Elections Ballot Shortage Reaches 7,194…1.5 Times Higher Than Initial Announcement

📍Ballot shortages reported at 91 polling stations nationwide, with voting suspended at 26 locations for up to 105 minutes

The scale of ballot shortages that occurred across the country on the day of the June 3 local elections has been found to be significantly larger than initially reported. According to data submitted by the National Election Commission (NEC) to the National Assembly, a total of 7,194 ballots were lacking at 91 polling stations nationwide. The figure is approximately 1.5 times higher than the commission's initial announcement made shortly after the election.

At some polling stations, voting was suspended for as long as one hour and 45 minutes, while authorities were unable to accurately determine the duration of disruptions at several locations. With Seoul alone accounting for 4,206 missing ballots—more than half of the nationwide total—calls are growing for a comprehensive review of the country's election management system.

🔹 Ballot Shortage Expanded by 2,468 Compared with Initial Announcement
According to documents submitted by the National Election Commission to Rep. Jeong Hee-yong of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee on June 9, a total of 7,194 ballots were found to have been lacking at 91 polling stations during voting for the June 3 local elections.

The figure represents an increase of 2,468 ballots compared with the NEC's initial report issued on June 5, which stated that 4,726 ballots had been lacking at 50 polling stations.

The sharp discrepancy between the commission's initial announcement and the updated figures has fueled criticism that election authorities failed to accurately assess the situation in the immediate aftermath of the vote.

Given that the issue directly affected citizens' ability to exercise their voting rights, concerns have also emerged regarding the accuracy of the NEC's early disclosures and the adequacy of its subsequent response.

🔹 Seoul Accounted for More Than Half of the Nationwide Shortage
By region, Seoul recorded the largest number of missing ballots.

A total of 4,206 ballots were lacking in the capital, accounting for approximately 58 percent of the nationwide shortage. While similar incidents occurred in parts of the greater Seoul metropolitan area, the concentration of shortages in Seoul far exceeded expectations.

A total of 23 polling stations nationwide experienced shortages exceeding 100 ballots. Of these, 17 were located in Seoul, followed by four in Gyeonggi Province, one in Incheon, and one in South Jeolla Province.

The findings have raised questions over whether election authorities adequately analyzed voter demand and appropriately distributed ballots ahead of Election Day.

🔹 Jamsil 4-dong Polling Station Reported the Largest Shortage
The polling station with the largest ballot shortage was Polling Station No. 7 in Jamsil 4-dong, Songpa District, Seoul.

The station was found to have lacked 436 ballots, the highest figure recorded nationwide.

It was followed by Polling Station No. 4 in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, with a shortage of 383 ballots; Polling Station No. 4 in Ganseok 1-dong, Namdong District, Incheon, with 306 ballots; Polling Station No. 6 in Guui 3-dong, Gwangjin District, Seoul, with 278 ballots; and Polling Station No. 6 in Jangwi 1-dong, Seongbuk District, Seoul, with 277 ballots.

In addition, Polling Station No. 2 in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa District—where access had been restricted due to protests on Election Day—was also found to have experienced a shortage of 179 ballots.

Reports indicated that some voters were forced to endure lengthy waits, further exacerbating confusion at polling sites.

🔹 Voting Suspended at 26 Polling Stations Nationwide
The ballot shortage led not only to inconvenience but also to the temporary suspension of voting operations.

According to NEC data, voting was interrupted at 26 polling stations across the country.

The duration of the suspensions ranged from as little as four minutes to as long as 105 minutes.

The shortest interruption occurred at Polling Station No. 4 in Dogok 2-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, where voting was halted for four minutes. 

The longest suspension took place at Polling Station No. 2 in Jamsil 2-dong, Songpa District, Seoul, where voting was suspended for 105 minutes.
 
Voters who had arrived to cast their ballots were forced to wait unexpectedly, raising concerns that some individuals may have ultimately given up on voting altogether.

🔹 Authorities Unable to Confirm Suspension Times at Some Polling Stations
An even greater concern emerged from the fact that election authorities were unable to determine exactly how long voting had been suspended at several polling stations.

The National Election Commission stated that it could not verify the precise duration of voting disruptions at three polling stations: Polling Station No. 2 in Munjeong 2-dong, Polling Station No. 5 in Jamsil 4-dong, and Polling Station No. 7 in Jamsil 2-dong, all located in Seoul's Songpa District.

Critics argue that the inability to secure such fundamental records highlights broader weaknesses in the nation's election management system. Since election authorities are responsible for monitoring and documenting voting operations in real time, the absence of accurate records has raised questions about the effectiveness of existing oversight mechanisms.

Experts note that thoroughly documenting and analyzing voting disruptions is essential to identifying the causes of such incidents and preventing similar problems in future elections.

🔹 Questions Raised Over Reduced Ballot Printing Volumes
The ballot printing process itself has also come under scrutiny.

According to the data, among 140 polling stations that required additional ballot deliveries, 65 had initially printed ballots at the minimum threshold of 50 percent established for local elections.

Meanwhile, 25 polling stations printed ballots at approximately 55 percent of expected demand, while another 50 polling stations prepared ballots at around 60 percent.

Some observers have questioned whether election authorities underestimated potential voter turnout and failed to account for fluctuations in participation rates when determining initial printing volumes.

Calls have also grown for the NEC to provide a detailed explanation of the criteria and decision-making process used in setting ballot production levels.

🔹 Political Pressure Mounts Over Accountability
Rep. Jeong Hee-yong strongly criticized the National Election Commission over the incident.

"The unprecedented shortage of ballots infringed upon citizens' constitutional right to vote," Jeong said. "Those responsible for the incompetence and irresponsibility displayed by the National Election Commission must be held fully accountable."

He further argued that "all necessary measures, including a special investigation, a parliamentary inquiry, and legal reforms, should be pursued to establish the truth behind the incident and prevent its recurrence."

The controversy is expected to intensify broader discussions within political circles regarding the need to review and strengthen the country's election administration framework.

🔹 Restoring Public Confidence in Election Management
The ballot shortage has been viewed as more than a simple administrative mistake, as it directly concerns the protection of citizens' voting rights—one of the cornerstones of democratic governance.

Observers point out that situations in which eligible voters arrive at polling stations only to face delays or voting suspensions due to ballot shortages suggest that fundamental election management principles failed to function properly.

As public concern continues to grow, attention is now focused on whether authorities can clearly determine the causes of the shortages, establish accountability, and implement effective measures to prevent similar incidents in future elections.

One-line summary : A total of 7,194 ballots were found to have been lacking at 91 polling stations during South Korea's June 3 local elections, fueling criticism over election mismanagement and concerns that voters' rights were compromised.