Early voting begins for June 4 local elections

Park Won-soon, left, Seoul mayoral candidate of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, takes a selfie with his wife Kang Nan-hee after they cast ballots at the early voting station in Guro-gu, Seoul, Friday. The two-day early voting period is closed today. / Yonhap

By Jun Ji-hye

Two-day early voting for the June 4 local elections began Friday amid expectations it will help increase turnout. The turnout on the first day stood at 4.75 percent.

The system was introduced when the Election Law was revised in 2012 and first used in 2013 April by-elections.

This latest poll is the first time the system is being used at a national level.

The system aims to help people who work irregular hours and others with difficulties in finding the time to exercise their right.

Voters can cast ballots at any of the nation’s 3,506 polling stations from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Only a valid identification card with a picture is required. Officials will conduct finger scans at the polling stations, while prior registration is unnecessary.

A polling station has been set up at Incheon International Airport to allow people travelling overseas to cast their ballots. Many people have preferred to go overseas instead of voting on election day, which is a holiday.

“Japan, Australia and some American states have the early voting system, but voters there can cast their ballots only in their designated neighborhood polling sites,” a National Election Commission (NEC) official said.

“There is no country that allows voters to vote in any polling places across the nation. South Korea is the first to do so as it has integrated all voters onto one electoral register.”

If voters cast their ballots in their electoral district, their ballots are stored until 6 p.m. on election day. If they vote outside their electoral district, their ballots are mailed to their home district.

The official said the NEC expected the early voting system to increase turnout at the local elections, which have a lower participation rate than general and presidential polls.

The most recent two local polls recorded about a 53 percent voter turnout.

Members of the ruling Saenuri Party and main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy are also paying keen attention to the system. They expect it to have a significant impact on the elections, which are seen as a mid-term referendum on President Park Geun-hye’s administration

The June polls will elect 17 new provincial governors and mayors, along with local council members and education superintendents.

On the Wednesday Election Day, voters must go to their designated polling sites.

Some people believe public distrust of politicians and the government following the Sewol ferry disaster could result in voters staying away.

Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye