Only National Assembly By-election in Jeonju-eul Records 26.8% Turnout
Changnyeong Records 57.5% Voter Turnout
The April 5 by-elections and re-elections held nationwide amid spring rain concluded with generally low voter turnout, except for Changnyeong in Gyeongnam, where a new local government head was elected.
According to the National Election Commission on the 5th, the by-election for the Jeonju-eul National Assembly seat recorded a turnout of 26.8%.
Among voters, 58.9% voted on election day, while 41.1% voted early within the district by mail or other means. Previously, due to former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik being found guilty of violating the Public Official Election Act, the election was held again, and the Democratic Party of Korea, which was responsible for the cause, did not field a candidate this time.
The Ulsan Superintendent of Education election, held to fill the vacancy after Superintendent Noh Ok-hee suddenly passed away, also saw a turnout of only 26.4%.
In Changnyeong, Gyeongnam, where a new local government head was elected, the turnout was 57.5%. Although this turnout was lower than the 64.1% recorded in last year's local elections, it was considered high given that election day was not a holiday. Changnyeong also held the election again after the county governor, who was on trial for charges including vote-buying, took an extreme step. The People Power Party also did not field a candidate, taking responsibility for having to hold the by-election again.
Additionally, by-elections were held in two places: Gunsan City in Jeonbuk and Pohang City-na (local councilors) in Gyeongbuk. By-elections were also held in four places: Gumi City District 4 in Gyeongbuk, Changnyeong County District 1 in Gyeongnam, Nam-gu-na in Ulsan, and Cheongju City-na (local councilors) in Chungbuk.
Voting on the day started at 6 a.m. and continued until 8 p.m., with voters in isolation due to COVID-19 allowed to vote for one hour from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Due to the nature of by-elections and re-elections, the term of office for the elected candidate begins the moment their election is confirmed.
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