Given that more than half of the public harbors doubts about the transparency of the current voting and vote-counting systems, we express grave concerns about proceeding with the local elections as they are.

Let's defer issues like abolishing early voting to be resolved later through legislative amendments. However, there are minimal transparency measures that can be implemented without amending the current laws. Our demands are as follows:

Use Personal Seals and Create Voter Rosters

First, during early voting, instead of printing a blanket stamp for the election officer, let's use the personal seal of the election officer. Despite personal sealing being legally mandated, the Election Commission is refusing it under the pretext of extended waiting times at polling stations.

Second, let's create voter rosters for early voting. Since there are no rosters for early voting, it's impossible to ascertain how many people have voted. Even a simple solution like using a ticket dispenser machine, similar to those used at bank counters, would suffice. This would be an effective way to dismiss claims of additional ballots being inserted after voting, so why is it not being adopted?

Adhere to Manual Counting Principles and Have Observers Guard Ballot Boxes

Third, instead of performing a manual check after electronic counting, let's conduct manual counting first, followed by machine verification. The reason cited for insisting on current electronic vote counters is to speed up the counting process. Should elections not be conducted transparently, even if it means delays?

Fourth, let's ensure transparency in the storage of early voting ballot boxes. Rather than claiming there are no issues because CCTV is installed, we request that election observers from each party and voters be allowed to guard the boxes on-site for four days and five nights.

There is nothing inherently difficult about these measures, so why is the Election Commission being so stubborn? These do not require legislative amendments; it's a matter of correcting incorrect enforcement decrees in accordance with the law. If there are no ulterior motives, there's no reason to resist.

The efficiency issues in voting and counting that the Election Commission claims are never more important than the transparency of the election. So what if we have to wait a little longer due to long voting queues? So what if we get the results a bit later because the counting takes a long time? If transparency is guaranteed, none of this will be a problem.

"How can the public trust election results when the electronic systems managing elections, the core of democracy, are in disarray? The Election Commission is a constitutional body, and with judicial officials serving as members, it is virtually impossible to conduct searches and seizures or compulsory investigations based on warrants."

This was stated by President Yoon Suk-yeol in a national address on December 12, 2024, following the declaration of a state of emergency on December 3. One of the primary reasons for declaring the December 3 state of emergency was to uncover the truth behind election irregularities.

The public, who had been uncertain, has now opened their eyes to election fraud through President Yoon's address. As opinion polls indicate, a majority of the public now believes that issues with election management must be resolved.

What the public desires is a transparent election system where everyone can cleanly accept the outcome, regardless of who wins or loses. This local election must proceed only after a transparent voting and vote-counting system is established.

If election schedules continue without resolving the transparency issues of the electoral system, democracy in this nation will meet its end. This is why we must fight to achieve a transparent electoral system, no matter how difficult the obstacles.

◆ Dr. Kim Jae-soo

Ph.D. in Information Science. Former head of the Agency for Defense Development. Former 5th and 6th president of the Republic of Korea ROTC Patriotic Comrades Association. Currently serves as co-standing representative of the National Movement to Abolish Privileges and chairman of the Light Foundation.