Voters are waiting due to a shortage of ballots at a polling station in Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, on June 3, the main voting day for the 6·3 local elections. [Seoul=Yonhap News]

The Freedom and Innovation Party urged for "transparency in all processes and thorough verification" regarding the shortage of ballots that occurred in some areas of Seoul during the 6·3 local elections.

The party issued an urgent statement on the 3rd, stating, "This is a serious matter that directly relates to citizens' right to participate in politics, going beyond a simple administrative error."

The People Power Party also stated, "As soon as the election ends, we will immediately pursue an investigation into the truth of this incident and ensure accountability."

Song Eon-seok, Co-Chair of the Election Committee, said, "We are receiving unbelievable news that voters are unable to vote in Seoul due to a shortage of ballots. We strongly urge the election commission to ensure that citizens who wait, even after 6 PM, can cast their votes."

The Seoul City Branch, based on its own findings, announced that ballot shortages have occurred at the following polling stations: the 2nd polling station in Munjeong 2-dong, the 6th polling station in Jamsil 2-dong, the 2nd polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, the 5th polling station in Jamsil 4-dong, the 3rd and 7th polling stations in Garak 2-dong in Songpa-gu; the 4th polling station in Cheongdam-dong in Gangnam-gu; and the 6th polling station in Gumi 3-dong in Gwangjin-gu.

They also stated that video reports are pouring in from each polling station where the ballot shortage occurred.

Cho Eun-hee, head of the general election committee for Oh Se-hoon's Seoul mayoral campaign, posted on Facebook, "It is absolutely unacceptable to infringe upon the voting rights of citizens in this manner. We urge that all means be mobilized to allow citizens to vote immediately."

Korea-US Daily Politics Desk