On the 1st, as the 8th nationwide local elections began, voting is taking place at the 4th polling station of Soha 2-dong set up in a restaurant in Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] As the 8th nationwide simultaneous local elections began, unique polling stations set up across the country have become a hot topic.
The election, which started at 6 a.m. on the 1st, is being held at various private facilities serving as polling stations. At a car dealership in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, the space originally occupied by cars was transformed into a polling station. Voters visiting the spacious and comfortable environment expressed their satisfaction.
Local restaurants and cafes also closed their businesses for the day and turned into polling stations. Voters at a restaurant in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, lined up not for meals but to wait for their turn to vote. At a cafe in Gwangjin-gu, voters continued to come to cast their precious votes.
A badminton court, usually used by neighborhood residents for physical exercise, also served as a polling station. At an indoor training center for an elementary school baseball team in Jung-gu, Seoul, boxes filled with baseballs and bats were placed around the polling station.
A daycare center in Seongdong-gu also looked different from usual. Toys that usually filled the indoor playroom on the first floor were gone, and voting boxes were placed around, attracting attention.
On the 1st, as the 8th nationwide local elections began, voters are casting their ballots at a polling station set up at a car dealership in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
According to the National Election Commission, a total of 14,465 polling stations were set up for this local election. Polling stations are mainly installed in community centers, government offices, and schools, but depending on the situation, certain private facilities may also be used. This is to increase accessibility and encourage voter participation.
Polling stations are selected by each town, township, and neighborhood election commission considering residents' accessibility and facility size. Especially for voters with disabilities or mobility difficulties, polling stations are preferably located on the first floor, and if a location on the second floor or higher is unavoidable, it must have an elevator. The election commission is known to provide a certain amount of compensation to private facilities that offer their premises as polling stations..
Meanwhile, the voter turnout for this local election was recorded at 38.3% as of 1 p.m. On that day, 16,985,317 out of 44,303,449 eligible voters participated. The turnout rate at 1 p.m. includes early voting and absentee voting rates conducted on the 27th and 28th of the previous month.
General voter elections will be held until 6 p.m. on the day, and elections for COVID-19 confirmed patients will be conducted from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters must bring their ID and go to the polling station in their registered residential district to vote.
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