On April 12~13, one hundred thirty-five candidates registered with election commissions for the April 27 by-elections, recording an average competition rate of 3.6:1, according to the NEC.

The number of candidates registered by electoral district is as follows:

National Assembly seats

Bundang-B: 3

Suncheon, South Jeolla Province: 7

Gimhae-B, South Gyeongsang Province: 2

Governorship of Gangwon Province: 3

Gu/Si/Gun local government heads

Jung-gu, Seoul: 2

Jung-gu, Ulsan: 2

Dong-gu, Ulsan: 4

Yangyang-gun, Gangwon Province: 4

Taean-gun, South Chungcheong Province: 4

Hwasun-gun, South Jeolla Province: 4

Si/Do council members in five electoral districts

The average competition rate was 3.6:1, while the highest was recorded in Jung-gu-4 electoral district of Ulsan, and Geoje-si-1 electoral district, with 5 candidates registered respectively.

Gu/Si/Gun council members in twenty-three electoral districts

The average competition rate was 3.6:1, while Goyang-si-E electoral district and Taebaek-si-B electoral district recording the highest competition.

The NEC said that, according to Article 49-12, candidates’ assets, military service record, the record of the recent five years’ income tax, real estate tax, tax default, and criminal record will be posted on its website, as well as personal information including occupation, academic record and career, until April 27.

To encourage policy-oriented campaign and boost voters’ interest, the NEC has made publicly available the main campaign pledges of the candidates running for the by-elections on the website(http:party.nec.go.kr), which will remain posted until the expiration of terms of the elected.

The campaign period is 13 days, from April 14-next day of the final day of candidate’s registration-to April 26, a day prior to election day. The voting guidance and official campaign leaflets will be distributed to each household by no later than April 22.

Voting begins at 6a.m. and continues to 8p.m. Voters who reported as an absentee voter should mark the ballot paper and send it to the relevant Election Commissions no later than 8p.m. on election day, April 27.

The NEC requested voters, as well as political parties and candidates, to fully cooperate in cultivating a policy-oriented campaign while strictly abiding by laws.