The National Election Commission held a meeting of related 9 departments including the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the successful management of the 19^th National Assembly elections on February 23.

The secretary-general (Mr. Jong-Woo LEE) of the NEC stressed out the need of sharing the direction for “voter-centered election management” in his opening speech. In particular, he asked the government officials to actively cooperate in a pan-governmental way in order to root out retrogressive practices in elections including 3 major election crimes: vote-buying; libel and malicious propaganda; and installation of illegal campaign organizations.

The NEC announced its plans for voter-centered election management: providing election information in a fast and accurate way; reflecting public opinions on the installation or change of polling stations; expanding convenience services for voters who have a difficulty participating in elections; securing accuracy and fairness in management process.

In addition, the NEC unveiled its measures to address the retrogressive practices including 3 major election crimes: protecting identity of anonymous reporters of election crimes in a thorough manner; investigating the cases which election commissions charged or requested for an investigation in a scrupulous way; taking a strict stance on violations of election management such as assault or threat on election enforcement officers; and promoting a rewarding or administrative fine program (up to 50 times).

In particular, the NEC stressed out that it will do its best to prevent public officials’ improper involvement in elections: imposing strict and punitive measures on public servants who violate election neutrality by notifying their offices and the Board of Audit and Inspection of their violations; coming up with measures to protect whistle blowers who reported public servants’ unfair involvement in elections; and strengthening monitoring and supervision on unlawful involvement of agencies or groups under the government in elections.

The NEC said that it will do its best for the development of democratic politics and national unity by managing the elections in an impeccable manner while establishing a close cooperative network with related departments for the successful elections. To this end, it also asked related departments and citizens for active cooperation and participation.