The Election Commission to Start Preliminary Candidate Registration from the 4th... 'Deposit of 60 Million Won Required'

By-election Begins After Yoon's Impeachment
Overseas Absentee Registration Also Starts
Banners Influencing the Election Are Not Allowed

Following the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, the National Election Commission announced on the 4th that registration for presidential preliminary candidates has begun.

Through a press release on the same day, the National Election Commission informed that the registration for presidential preliminary candidates has started. The Commission explained, "Those who wish to become preliminary candidates must submit documents proving their eligibility to run, such as a family relation certificate, criminal record certificate, and formal education certificates, to the National Election Commission, and pay a deposit of 60 million won (20% of the candidate deposit of 300 million won)."

Preliminary candidates may establish election offices, distribute election campaign business cards, create and send promotional materials within 10% of the total number of households nationwide, wear or carry sashes or badges, and publish one type of preliminary candidate pledge booklet, which can be sold by usual methods for election campaigning.

Overseas absentee voter registration also begins. Voters registered in the resident registry who wish to vote abroad can register through the National Election Commission website, visiting diplomatic missions, or via email.

On the 28th of last month, when early voting for the April 2 by-election began, a voter is casting a ballot at the early voting station set up at Gaebong 2-dong Community Center in Guro-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

For independent candidates, they must obtain recommendations from 3,500 to 6,000 people across five or more provinces using recommendation letters issued and verified by the National Election Commission.

Meanwhile, the Commission stated, "With the presidential by-election taking place, banners or facilities displaying the name of a political party or the name, photo, or any content that can infer the name or identity of a candidate (including those intending to become candidates, hereinafter the same) cannot be installed or posted to influence the election." However, usual policy promotion banners of political parties and banners related to political issues are permitted.