Considering Accessibility for the Elderly, People with Limited Mobility, and All Voters
Rental Fees for Temporary Polling Stations Range from Several Hundred Thousand Won Per Day
With just one day left before the 6·3 presidential election, polling stations are being set up across the country. According to Article 147 of the Public Official Election Act (Establishment of Polling Stations), polling stations are to be installed in locations within each polling district that are convenient for voters, such as schools, government offices, offices of public institutions or organizations, community centers, or other suitable places.
However, if a public venue cannot be secured, local governments, election commissions, and private parties may collaborate to set up polling stations in general buildings. These locations must be easily accessible for the elderly, people with limited mobility, and all voters, and they should not be affected by weather conditions such as rain. This year, a variety of venues such as private sports facilities, wedding halls, and food and beverage establishments have been designated as polling stations. Most of these places are chosen for their easy accessibility and ample space.
On the first day of early voting for the 21st presidential election on the 29th, an early voting station was set up in the fitness room of the Songpa 2-dong Community Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
On June 2, Yonhap News introduced some of the unique polling stations set up across the country ahead of the 6·3 presidential election. One of the most eye-catching is the "wrestling gym" polling station (Namcheon 2-dong 3rd polling station) in Suyeong-gu, Busan. This venue was originally a kendo studio, but the new owner converted it into a wrestling gym. There are also polling stations set up in cafes and restaurants. In Gangdong-gu, Seoul, a cafe called "Seungryongine Ludia" has been designated as the Seongnae 2-dong 3rd polling station. In this case, the building is owned by the Gangdong-gu Office. The Bukgajwa 2-dong 5th polling station in Seodaemun-gu has been set up in a franchise pizza shop called "Goraehanippizza."
Other popular locations include campgrounds (such as the Gurim-myeon 2nd polling station in Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do), wedding halls (such as the Sangdae-dong 1st polling station in Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do), and taekwondo gyms (such as the Wadong 8th polling station in Danwon-gu, Ansan).
On April 10 last year, the day of the 22nd National Assembly election, a citizen is voting at Guro 5-dong 1st polling station set up in a wedding hall in Guro-gu, Seoul. Reference photo for understanding. Photo by Yonhap News
On April 10 last year, the 22nd National Assembly election day, election observers are watching the voting at Jinwoldong 5th polling station set up at Baekdu Taekwondo Gym in Namgu, Gwangju. Reference photo for better understanding. Photo by Yonhap News.
These private polling stations may receive a set honorarium or a rental fee of several hundred thousand won from the National Election Commission. A representative from a wedding hall that has served as a polling station for over 20 years said, "The parking lot is spacious and it's convenient for residents to visit, so we've played the role of polling station for a long time," adding, "Since there are no events on election day, we provide the venue free of charge for the community." In the previous 22nd National Assembly election, polling stations were also set up in banks, indoor baseball training centers, and optician shops.
Meanwhile, the main voting for the 21st presidential election will take place on June 3 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 14,295 polling stations nationwide. Unlike advance voting, voters must cast their ballots at their designated polling station. The location can be checked in the voting guide mailed to each household or on the National Election Commission's website.
On the 29th, the first advance voting day for the 21st presidential election, travelers lined up to vote at the advance polling station set up in Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Kang Jinhyung
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
