The last bastion that guarantees the authenticity of ballots in elections, the flower of democracy, is the election official's "own seal (personal seal)." The Public Official Election Act clearly stipulates that election officials must stamp their "own seal" when distributing ballots. 

This is the solemn command of the legislator, intended to prevent fraudulent elections at the source by thoroughly separating the entity that stamps and distributes the ballot (the official) from the entity that manages the ballots (the Election Commission), thereby enabling mutual checks and balances, and ensuring that no one can create "fake ballots."

However, the recent preliminary notice on seal production (attached) issued by the Election Commission is nothing short of a declaration of war that directly negates the principles of democratic elections. The Election Commission states that they will collect seals from officials who intend to use their personal seals in advance, keep them in storage, and return them only the day before the election. 

This is not a mere administrative notice; it is an abuse of power without legal basis and an extra-legal outrage that undermines the independent authority of election officials from its roots. No, it is effectively a persuasion and pressure to abandon personal seals and use "Election Commission-produced seals" as directed by the Commission.

The Pathetic Excuse of "Preventing Non-Appearance" and the Collapse of the Principle of Checks and Balances

The Election Commission offers the pathetic excuse of "preventing non-appearance on the day." However, this is a clear deception. The existing procedure already includes a backup mechanism allowing the use of the deputy official's seal if the election official fails to bring their own seal.

Despite this, the Election Commission's intention to monopolize the seals for several days is tantamount to a declaration that they are opening a "gateway to fraud." The exclusive possession and management of personal seals by election officials is the sole physical defense line against the Election Commission's arbitrary issuance of fake ballots. 

The moment the Election Commission breaches this defense line and takes the seals, the risk of fake duplicate seals being stamped on ballots without the knowledge of the officials becomes extremely high. No one would believe a bank teller who says, "Leave your seal with me in advance; I'll stamp it when you come to withdraw money." 

Would anyone trust a real estate agent who asks to hold onto the seller's seal in advance, saying it will be used when signing the real estate contract? Moreover, is it even conceivable to entrust a personal seal for the ballots that decide the fate of the nation to the Election Commission!

The 10-Year Statute of Limitations; Illegitimate Directives Will Not Protect You

A warning to early voting election officials and election officials: The Election Commission's sweet talk of "rest assured" will not be your shield in the event of an incident. Pursuant to Article 268, Paragraph 3 of the Public Official Election Act, the statute of limitations for election-related crimes by public officials is a formidable 10 years.

Your compliance with the Election Commission's unreasonable directives, by surrendering your personal seal or allowing illegal operations to go unchecked, will become definitive evidence of "dereliction of duty" that will strangle your neck for the next 10 years. 

When the blade of judicial condemnation arrives in 10 years, the massive organization known as the Election Commission will never take responsibility for you personally. The moment you turn a blind eye to unconstitutional directives that exceed the limits of delegated legislation, you are reduced to a potential criminal.

Defending Your Personal Seal is Defending Democracy

Do not forget that the moment the Election Commission takes your seal, it can transform from your personal seal into an "instrument of fraud." Early voting election officials and election officials nationwide must send official letters resolutely refusing the Election Commission's unlawful demand for seal collection.

Directly bringing your "own seal" as stipulated by law and personally stamping it at the polling station on election day is the only way to protect your own safety as a public official and to restore the collapsing justice of elections. Furthermore, we must put a brake on the Election Commission's unchecked power by immediately filing for an injunction to stay the execution. Remember that the personal seal in your hand is the last bastion of democracy.

◆ Dr. Wi Geum-suk 

Chairperson, Special Committee for Reform of Fraudulent Elections, Freedom and Innovation Party; Ph.D. in Computer Engineering