Local Election Competition Rate Hits Record Low at 1.8 to 1... Official Campaign Starts from the 19th

As of 9:30 PM on the 13th, a total of 7,580 candidates registered

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] Candidate registration for the 8th nationwide local elections, scheduled for June 1, was completed on the 13th. The competition rate recorded the lowest level in history. In most regions, voters will receive a basic set of 7 ballots.

According to the National Election Commission on the 14th, as of 9:30 PM the previous day, the deadline for candidate registration for the June 1 local elections and parliamentary by-elections, a total of 7,580 candidates had tentatively completed registration.

The overall competition rate was confirmed to be 1.8 to 1, lower than the 2.3 to 1 rate during the 6th local elections in 2014. Even including 33 candidates who submitted applications but have not completed the registration process, this local election has the lowest competition rate.

This time, 17 metropolitan governors, 226 basic local government heads, 779 metropolitan council members, 2,602 basic council members, 93 metropolitan proportional representatives, and 386 basic proportional representatives will be elected. For the metropolitan governor elections, a total of 55 candidates registered, showing a competition rate of 3.2 to 1. For basic local government heads, 580 candidates registered (2.6 to 1), metropolitan council members had 1,542 candidates (2 to 1), basic council members had 4,440 candidates (1.7 to 1), metropolitan proportional representatives had 208 candidates (2.2 to 1), and basic proportional representatives had 675 candidates (1.7 to 1). Additionally, 61 candidates registered for the superintendent of education election (3.6 to 1), 9 for the education council member election (1.8 to 1), and 15 for the parliamentary by-elections (2.1 to 1).

Voters in most regions can exercise their voting rights with a basic set of 7 ballots. However, the special autonomous province of Jeju and the special autonomous city of Sejong will hold 5 and 4 elections respectively.

In the seven regions where parliamentary by-elections are held simultaneously, one additional ballot will be issued, allowing each voter to cast up to 8 votes.

Official candidate election campaigns will begin on the 19th and continue until the day before the election, the 31st.