Gyeongnam Election Commission Reports Saemaeul Geumgo Delegate for Illegal Election Campaigning by Incumbent Chairman

The Gyeongnam Election Commission has reported Mr. A, a delegate of a certain credit union, to the prosecution on charges of illegal election campaigning ahead of the nationwide simultaneous Saemaeul Geumgo chairman election to be held on March 5.

According to the Gyeongnam Election Commission on the 24th, Mr. A is suspected of conducting election campaigning for the incumbent chairman running for election using a loudspeaker inside a tourist bus during a hiking club meeting attended by former credit union members in mid-February, before the official election campaign period.

Gyeongnam Election Commission. Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

The Entrusted Election Act prohibits election campaigning by anyone other than the candidate, the candidate’s spouse, direct ascendants or descendants, or one designated member among the union members who are not executives or employees of the entrusted election organization.

Additionally, election campaigning is only allowed during the campaign period, which starts the day after the candidate registration deadline and ends the day before the election.

The campaign period for this credit union chairman election is from February 20 to March 3.

A Gyeongnam Election Commission official stated, “In credit union chairman elections where the number of voters is small, illegal campaigning by those not permitted to campaign has a significant impact on the election and undermines its fairness,” adding, “We will thoroughly investigate violations that harm the freedom and fairness of elections and take strict measures.”