The National Election Commission (NEC) distributed a notice requesting cooperation to the leadership of political parties, expressing concern about an anticipated increase in electoral law violations in party activities, ahead of the by-elections slated for April 27.

According to the NEC, the leaders or high-profile members of parties have increasingly been engaged in the talks with eligible voters by holding various conferences or meetings in the areas where the by-elections will be held, usually with the excuse of collecting the opinions of local residents or discussing local issues. In view of such an increase in party activities, the NEC requested party leaders to remain vigilant of potential law violations in the leading up to the by-elections. 

In particular, electoral law violations are likely to occur if a party promotes or advertise election pledges to the general voters through frequent visits to the areas that have the by-elections, or its preliminary candidates announce election pledges in the events organized by the party.

※     The followings are examples of electoral law violations associated with party activities that can occur before the election campaign period.

1)       The leaders of a party have talks with the general voters to promote election pledges or the stance of the party in the election by repeatedly visiting the areas where the by-elections are to be held.

2)       Senior executive members of a party, before the official campaign period, canvass local residents for the party or its potential candidates by making visits to the areas where the by-elections are to be held.

3)       A political party holds an assembly participated by the general voters to announce election pledges regarding current political issues, or support and/or endorse its members intended to stand for the by-elections.

※     On the other hand, the activities permitted are as follows.

      1) A political party, outside the election period, promotes the party’s policies or stance on current political issues through printed   materials, facilities, or advertisement, etc., without supporting, recommending, or opposing any particular party or potential candidate.

     2) A party, outside the election period, gives speech or lecture to publicize its stance on political issues, as part of ordinary party  activities.

3)       During the period in which the meeting of party members is restricted (March 28~April 27), a party holds the high-ranking members meeting of Si/Do parties with Central party’s leaders, or holds the high-ranking members meeting at Gu/Si/Gun level with Si/Do party’s leaders.

Meanwhile, as of 23 March 2011, the NEC has taken actions on 19 alleged violations: filed charges against three cases to the prosecution; handed over a case to the prosecutor for further investigation; and issued warnings to 15 cases.