Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Yoo Sang-beom, senior deputy floor leader for operations, hold protest signs condemning the National Election Commission at an emergency party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th. [Yonhap News]

Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, proposed a joint inquiry into the government to the Democratic Party on the 4th regarding the unprecedented shortage of ballot papers in the June 3rd local elections.

At an emergency party meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, Song stated, "This is precisely the kind of issue that requires a special prosecutor," and made the proposal.

He also proposed that the Democratic Party immediately enact legislation to strengthen institutional controls over election management procedures and regulations. He further demanded that Huh Cheol-hoon, Secretary-General of the National Election Commission, and Oh In-seok, Election Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission, resign immediately to take responsibility for the incident.

Song asserted that the National Election Commission committed "three major illegal crimes": the delay of voting due to a shortage of ballot papers, the blatant violation of the law by conducting voting and vote counting simultaneously, and the dereliction of duty by the National Election Commission. He added that a comprehensive audit and reform of the National Election Commission's overall operations are unavoidable.

He commented, "The fact that the National Election Commission hastily reprinted and transported ballot papers yesterday appears to be a violation of the Public Official Election Act. This has caused voters who intended to vote to give up, which is a serious matter that infringes upon the constitutional right of participation by the people."

Furthermore, he pointed out, "Although voting hours were extended until 10 p.m., exit poll results were announced at 6 p.m. and vote counting had already commenced in some areas. If this is the case, what was the purpose of the five-day 'blackout period' for public opinion surveys before election day?"

Citing the Election Commission's explanation that there was a directive to print ballot papers for only 50% of voters excluding those who voted in advance, he demanded, "Immediately submit who, why, and based on what legal grounds this directive was created."

He also requested that the Election Commission submit its execution performance records, stating that budget had been secured to print ballot papers with a margin for error, and it appears that budget has been utilized. He further demanded the submission of internal approval documents that decided on the printing of ballot papers, contract documents related to Seoul's ballot papers, and original copies of the ballot paper printing contracts.

Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, delivers opening remarks at an emergency party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th. [Yonhap News]