Incheon Jung-gu Election Commission Reports Two for Obstructing Early Voting and Assault

"We Will Respond Firmly to Any Acts That Obstruct Legitimate Voting Operations or Harm Election Officials"

The photo is not directly related to the main content. On the second day of early voting for the 21st presidential election, on the 30th, an election official is removing the special seal from the ballot box at the early voting station set up at Eulji Nuri Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The Incheon Jung-gu Election Commission announced on the 30th that it had reported two individuals, including observer A, to the police on charges of obstructing voting operations and assaulting an election official during the early voting process for the 21st presidential election.

According to the commission, on the 29th, at an early voting station in Jung-gu, Incheon, A insisted on signing the seal of the early voting ballot box and the lid of the ballot box using a method that would stamp both, claiming it was to prevent election fraud. In doing so, A obstructed the sealing and closing of the ballot box, as well as the process of sending the ballots. A is also accused of using violence, such as grabbing the arm of an election official during the handover of an out-of-district early voting return envelope.

B, who was also reported, is accused of entering the polling station without observer status and obstructing the sealing and locking of the ballot box.

According to the Public Official Election Act, only voters, observers, voting managers, voting staff, and election commission members and staff are allowed to enter polling stations. Anyone interfering with voting without a legitimate reason may be sentenced to up to three years in prison. Damaging a ballot box is punishable by imprisonment for at least one year and up to ten years. Assaulting an election official is punishable by imprisonment for at least one year and up to ten years, or a fine of at least 5 million won and up to 30 million won.

The Incheon City Election Commission emphasized that it will respond firmly to any acts that obstruct legitimate voting operations or cause harm, such as assault or threats, to election officials.