Noh Tae-ak, Chairman of the National Election Commission, leaves the press room after apologizing to the public and expressing his resignation regarding the ballot paper shortage incident at the National Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 5th. [Yonhap News] 

The joint investigation team (JIT) of prosecutors and police, formed to uncover the truth behind the 'ballot paper shortage incident' during the June 3 local elections, has imposed a travel ban on former National Election Commission Chairman Noh Tae-ak and others.

According to legal sources on the 12th, the Ministry of Justice has imposed a travel ban on former Chairman Noh and former Secretary-General Heo Cheol-hoon, among other National Election Commission officials, at the request of the JIT.

More than 10 National Election Commission officials, including former Chairman Noh and former Secretary-General Heo, are suspects in connection with the ballot paper shortage incident, facing charges such as violations of the Public Official Election Act and dereliction of duty.

The JIT conducted a search and seizure yesterday at seven locations, including the Gwacheon National Election Commission, the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission, and the Songpa, Seocho, Gangnam, Gwangjin, and Dongjak-gu Election Commissions where the ballot paper shortage occurred, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, dereliction of duty, and occupational embezzlement/breach of trust.

The JIT is reported to have secured ballot paper printing plans, meeting minutes, budget documents, and local election-related files prepared during the election preparation process.

Vote records documenting the storage locations, quantities, and remaining numbers of ballot papers on election day were also included in the seized items.

Currently, most locations have completed their search and seizure, with the exception of the National Election Commission's server.

The JIT plans to analyze the secured data to examine the decision-making process and its basis regarding ballot paper printing before the election, as well as the specific details of communications exchanged between polling stations and the National Election Commission on election day.

As soon as the internal network setup is completed at the JIT office located at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, police personnel and data will be transferred to continue the investigation.

After conducting summons investigations of working-level officials from regional election commissions, investigations into higher-ranking officials, including former Chairman Noh, are expected to follow.