According to the National Election Commission, it has sent absentee ballots to 1,085,607 absentee voters and absentee voting places will be open for 2 days from December 13 to 14.

▣ Absentee Voting Place: Open from 6 am

Those who will take part in absentee voting may visit his/her nearest polling station with his/her ID as well as the absentee ballots and 2 types of envelopes (1 large envelope, 1 return envelope) sent by the election commissions.

Absentee voting hours are 6 am to 4 pm, starting in the upcoming Presidential Election.

The information on the location of absentee voting places can be provided through the NEC’s website (http://www.nec.go.kr) or via Call 1390, the NEC’s main contact number.

According to the NEC, those who have not cast their votes during the absentee voting period after receiving absentee ballots may visit the polling station in their residential registration places to vote on Election Day, where they are required to return unmarked absentee ballots and envelopes.

In addition, the NEC has brought the following to absentee voters’ attention:

If those supposed to vote at an absentee voting place vote at their residential places or mark absentee ballots before arriving at an absentee voting place, the votes shall be regarded as invalid.

▣ Voting at One’s Residential Place: Strict Control on Proxy Votes and Interferences in Votes

Those supposed to vote at their residential places may mark absentee ballots with writing tools such as a pen at their residence and post the marked ballots covered in the envelopes to the corresponding election commissions by 6pm on December 19 Election Day.  

Persons who may vote at their residence include those who are immobile staying long at hospitals or nursing homes or who are physically severely disabled. They can register as absentee voters to vote once the representative of the corresponding organizations/facilities or the head of Tong/Ri/Ban confirms their conditions. 

The election commissions plan to reinforce control on proxy votes or interferences in votes, especially on cases where those residing at nursing homes and facilities for the disabled are targeted. The ECs also plan to have their personnel observe voting at facilities for the disabled.

Furthermore, in case a voter physically disabled needs assistance during voting at facilities for the disabled, the ECs will permit limited assistance by staff working for the facilities. A family member of a disabled voter or 2 persons appointed by the voter will be permitted to assist the disabled voter in voting. If there is a difficulty appointing persons to provide assistance, 2 impartial persons, for example observers from the ECs or Candidates’ sides, shall assist a voter in voting.

Anyone that interrupts a person voting at his/her residence shall be sentenced to imprisonment of less than 3 years according to Article 242 of the Public Official Election Act. Anyone who votes or makes someone vote in a false way or who tries to vote in a false way shall be sentenced to imprisonment of less than 5 years or a fine of less than KRW 10 million in accordance with Article 248 of the Public Official Election Act.