Ansan City Plans Free Mask Distribution on Voting Day to Increase Voter Turnout
Election Commission: "Distributing Masks in Front of Polling Stations on Voting Day Is Illegal"
Citizens: "It's to Prevent Infectious Diseases, Legal Interpretation Is Excessive"
Government Urges "Mandatory Mask Wearing at Polling Stations"
On the 12th of last month, staff members of the Election Commission in Uichang-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, are inspecting polling station equipment to ensure that early voting and election day voting proceed without any errors. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] "Isn't this to encourage voting?", "It's okay to give masks for infection prevention."
Gyeonggi-do Ansan City prepared masks on the day of the general election to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), but the Election Commission rejected the plan to distribute masks, citing a violation of the Public Official Election Act, and canceled the mask distribution plan. The reason was that distribution on the voting day is illegal.
However, citizens have expressed that they cannot understand this. They argue that the purpose of preventing COVID-19 is more important than the Election Commission's interpretation. Some citizens expressed frustration, asking if the election office would be closed if confirmed cases occur due to voters crowding in the enclosed voting space.
Ansan City planned to distribute 600,000 cloth masks for about 556,000 voters aged 18 and over in the district who visit polling stations on the early voting days (10th?11th) and the main voting day (15th). However, the Election Commission on the 2nd stated, "Free distribution of masks for infection prevention is possible, but free distribution to increase voter turnout may violate the Public Official Election Act," judging that mask distribution could be a violation of election law.
Eventually, the city decided to reconsider the disposal plan for the 600,000 cloth masks later. Citizens who heard the news expressed outrage, saying, "(The Election Commission) is rather blocking efforts to encourage voting," and "What's wrong with a plan to increase voter turnout?"
A 29-year-old office worker A said, "Who will take responsibility if a confirmed case comes out after going to vote?" and raised his voice, "It's a way to increase voter turnout, so I don't understand what the problem is."
He added, "How much does a mask cost? Why can't we do even that for such an important matter as voting?" and said, "I think this is an excessive interpretation of the law."
A voter B in their 50s said, "Isn't it possible that some citizens who have to go vote might not be able to get masks?" and argued, "Since the COVID-19 situation continues, I think the law should be changed to solve this." He also expressed incomprehension, asking, "Will the polling station be closed if a confirmed case appears?"
On the 12th of last month, staff members of the Election Commission in Uichang-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, are inspecting polling station equipment to ensure that early voting and election day voting proceed without any errors. Photo by Yonhap News.
As controversy continued over the ban on mask distribution on the general election voting day, an Election Commission official told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "We informed that it is illegal for local governments to distribute masks to voters on the voting day," adding, "It is possible for local governments to distribute masks within the existing scope until the day before voting day."
He continued, "The problem arises when masks are distributed in front of polling stations on the voting day," explaining, "This is considered a donation act under Articles 113 to 115 of the Public Official Election Act."
However, some argue that the risk of infection may increase as people crowd to receive masks.
A 20-something office worker C said, "Elderly people, who are at high risk of COVID infection, will come out even if they are sick if masks are given for free," adding, "I think this could be a big problem at polling stations where many people gather. Given that confirmed cases have exceeded ten thousand, policies like free mask distribution do not seem to be a good measure."
Meanwhile, on the 2nd, the government stated regarding the April 15 general election held amid the COVID-19 situation, "We will support at the whole-government level so that the public can vote with peace of mind."
The government said it would conduct disinfection and sterilization throughout the voting and counting sites, and voters with abnormal symptoms on election day will be allowed to vote separately at temporary polling stations set up to prevent infection concerns. Also, confirmed COVID-19 patients can vote via absentee voting or at early voting stations set up in residential treatment centers.
The government issued a public statement including these details under the names of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, and Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young on the same day.
The government urged, "For a safe election during the COVID-19 response, practicing social distancing inside polling stations is important," and requested, "Please be sure to wear a mask when coming to the polling station, and actively cooperate with the instructions of election officials, such as temperature checks and keeping distance from the person in front."
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