Jang Dong-hyeok giving a speech "denouncing the infringement of suffrage" [Gimhae=Yonhap News]The National Election Commission (NEC) will hold its first hearing on election appeals related to the June 3 local elections on the 27th.

On this day, the NEC will conduct hearings on appeals filed regarding the elections for mayors/provincial governors, proportional representation council members, and superintendents of education.

People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyeok is scheduled to personally attend the hearing to present his case. It is expected that Leader Jang will focus on raising allegations that emerged in the Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon regional elections, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Election Commission, among the seven regions where the PPP has filed election appeals.

In particular, he is expected to emphasize the need for a recount and re-election by pointing out various suspicions, including the shortage of ballots at certain polling stations in Songpa-gu, Seoul; the "twin vote" results in Songdo 1 and 2-dong, Incheon; and allegations of manipulated voter turnout in Gyeonggi regions such as Gimpo.

Previously, while the NEC granted Leader Jang’s request for an oral argument, it disallowed the broadcasting of the proceedings, including live or recorded coverage.

Once an election appeal is filed, the NEC’s Appeal Review Committee must reach a decision within 60 days. Accordingly, the NEC’s decision on these appeals is expected to be issued around the middle of next month.