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| National Election Commission (NEC) Chairperson Noh Jeong-hee apologizes for mishandling ballots of COVID-19 patients and other blunders during last week's early voting, in a press conference at NEC headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Yonhap |
By Kang Seung-woo
National Election Commission (NEC) Chairperson Noh Jeong-hee is in the hot seat over the agency's improper handling of COVID-19 patients' ballots during the early voting period last Friday and Saturday.
Despite making an apology for the fiasco during a press conference, Tuesday, the besieged NEC chief did not address growing calls from political circles for her resignation.
The NEC came under fire over the weekend following revelations that poll station workers were collecting patients' ballots in plastic bags and other unofficial containers, rather than letting the infected voters place their votes directly in designated ballot boxes, during the early voting period for infected voters on Saturday.
Lee Jun-seok, chairman of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), said earlier in the day that Noh should step down over the mishandling of ballots.
"The NEC will have to take responsibility for the early voting incident after the election and an absence of Noh's decision to quit is likely to impose a heavier burden on the organization," Lee said during a radio interview.
PPP floor leader Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon also posted his thoughts on the matter on Facebook, "The NEC should make efforts to prevent the misconduct from repeating on Election Day. After that, the NEC chief should assume responsibility for the case and make it clear that she will step down."
The ruling party is also in agreement with the PPP's call for Noh's resignation.
DPK Chairman Rep. Song Young-gil said during a radio interview, Monday, that someone in charge of the early polling should be held responsible, while Lee Nak-yon, a former prime minister who is now serving as the DPK's election committee chief, criticized Noh for her dereliction of duty during the two-day early voting period.
Facing growing criticism, Noh apologized for the mishandling of COVID-19 patients' ballots and other blunders during the early voting period, pledging to make sure no such mishaps will happen again in today's election.
"As chairperson, I feel responsibility for causing confusion and inconvenience with poor preparations," Noh said at a press conference at the NEC's headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. "The NEC turned over a new leaf and prepared thoroughly so that every person can exercise their voting rights without inconvenience."
In the wake of the scandal, the NEC decided Monday to allow COVID-19 patients and those in quarantine to place their completed ballots directly into the ballot boxes, after others finish voting.
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