Gyeongnam Civic Groups and Progressive Parties Call for Transparency in Electoral District Delimitation: "End Opaque and Closed Processes"

Progressive civic groups and political parties in the Gyeongnam region have called for greater transparency in the delineation of electoral districts ahead of the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections scheduled for next year.

The Gyeongnam Political Reform Plaza Citizens' Coalition, together with the Basic Income Party, Labor Party, Innovation Party for Justice, Justice Party, Progressive Party Gyeongnam Provincial Branches, and Gyeongnam Green Party, held a press conference at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Press Center on the 22nd to make this demand.

The coalition stated, "Looking back at the history of electoral district delineation in Gyeongnam, it has been plagued by opaque processes, hasty decisions, corruption within the delineation committees, sit-ins and physical altercations at the provincial government and assembly, rallies, and press conferences, leaving hardly a peaceful day." They pointed out, "This is because the interests of specific parties have been excessively reflected, distorting the standards for local elections and creating an uneven playing field from the very start."

The Gyeongnam Political Reform Plaza Citizens' Coalition, together with the Basic Income Party, Labor Party, Innovation Party for Justice, Justice Party, Progressive Party Gyeongnam Provincial Branches, and Gyeongnam Green Party, is holding a press conference urging increased transparency in the electoral district delineation for the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections. Photo by Lee Seryeong

They emphasized, "The delineation of electoral districts must be carried out more fairly and transparently than anything else," and called on the Gyeongnam provincial government to disclose the full lists and minutes of all previous electoral district delineation committees, the process and results of committee member recommendations and confirmations, and the outcomes of past committee meetings.

They also requested disclosure of the guidelines and related information from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety regarding the formation and operation of next year's local election district delineation committee, as well as Gyeongnam Province's policies and plans, and the budget related to the committee's formation and operation.

Lee Byungha, Co-Chair of the Gyeongnam Political Reform Plaza Citizens' Coalition, stated, "We hope for an election where not local minority power holders, but voters and citizens, can clearly know which electoral district and constituency they belong to and where candidates are running. We must put past mistakes in district delineation behind us and make this an election that truly blossoms as the flower of democracy."

According to the principle of 'legal regulation of electoral districts,' which stipulates that the units for electing public officials must be defined by law for parliamentary and local elections, parliamentary electoral districts are determined by the National Assembly Electoral District Delimitation Committee, while local election districts are determined by the City and County Council Electoral District Delimitation Committee.

According to the coalition, in accordance with the Public Official Election Act, Gyeongnam Province is expected to form the local election district delineation committee for the September local elections by October and begin full committee meetings starting in November.