Gyeongnam Election Commission Reports Two for Providing Food to Voters on Behalf of Local Election Candidate

Gyeongnam Election Commission. Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

The Gyeongnam Election Commission announced on January 9 that it had reported two individuals to the prosecution for violating the Public Official Election Act by providing food to voters on behalf of a prospective candidate for the 9th Nationwide Local Elections.

According to the Gyeongnam Election Commission, in early December last year, individuals A and B, acquaintances of a prospective candidate for the June local elections for municipal heads in the province, held a gathering for about 30 voters in the electoral district.

The two are accused of inviting the prospective candidate to the event to greet attendees and providing food and beverages worth a total of 2.5 million won.

Article 115 of the Public Official Election Act stipulates that no one may engage in or cause others to engage in acts of donation for a candidate or a prospective candidate in relation to an election.

Violation of this provision is punishable under Article 257 of the same Act by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 10 million won.

An official from the Gyeongnam Election Commission stated, "Acts of donation or bribery and public officials' involvement in elections are serious election crimes that fundamentally undermine the order of elections under the Public Official Election Act. We will conduct a thorough investigation and take strict action in accordance with the law and principles."

The official also urged, "If you discover any election-related crimes, please report them by calling 1390 from anywhere nationwide, without an area code."