The National Election Commission ordered that election commissions inform political parties and preliminary candidates of restricted or banned activities and strengthen preventive measures against election law violations from 180 days before the 18^th Presidential Election (June 22) to be held on December 19.

The Public Official Elections Act restricts or bans certain activities having an influence on elections from 180 days before the election day except what the Act allows in order to guarantee candidates’ equal opportunities of election campaigns and prevent unlawful campaigns for fair elections.

Under the Public Official Elections Act, from 180 days before the election day to the election day:

l  In order to have an influence on the election, no one shall or shall have another person install or display advertising materials or facilities including a placard or advertising tower; and shall or shall have another person wear or distribute indicating materials including a name tag; and shall make or sell a symbol indicating a candidate including a doll or mascot. (Public Official Elections Act§90-1)

l  No one shall distribute, play, post, or run an advertisement, letter of greeting, photograph, recording or video clip, printed material, poster and others which contain the contents supporting, recommending, or opposing a political party or candidate; or showing a name of a political party or candidate with the intention of influencing the election. (Public Official Elections Act§93-1)

l  An institution, association, organization, or facility established and operated by a political party or candidate shall not carry out any activities that may influence the election to its constituents. (Public Official Elections Act§89-2)

Violators of regulations above may be subject to a penalty of up to two years in jail or a fine of up to KRW 4 million.

l  Anyone (except political parties, the press, and pollsters which receive a request to conduct a survey) who conduct a public opinion poll that may result in a presumption of a approval rating of a political party or a winning candidate in connection with an election from 180 days before the election day to the election day shall report poll’s purpose, size of samples and other information to the NEC in writing by 2 days before the conduct of the poll. (Public Official Elections Act§108-3)

The NEC has plans to promote voting participation; secure the freedom of election campaigns; actively provide voters-oriented information on the election law; and take stern actions against heavy election crimes including libel and malicious propaganda, unlawful campaigns of groups, illegal gratuity, illegal activities regarding intraparty competition of political parties, illegal involvement of public officials in elections.

In addition, the NEC will take various measures for the Presidential election including the reward system for election crime reporters up to KRW 500 million; special system for those who give themselves up to the law such as middlemen of monetary goods; administrative fine system which imposes up to 50 times the amount of what violators receive such as monetary goods or food regarding elections.