The NEC announced that the voters who are not able to go to the polling stations on the election day (April 11) can cast their ballots, if they apply for the absentee voting between March 23 and March 27.

The voters who want absentee voting should fill out the absentee application form and send it by mail (for free) or submit it in person to heads of Gu/Si/Gun or Eup/Myeon/Dong where is in charge of their place of resident registration by 6 PM on March 27.

You can find the absentee application form at Gu/Si/Gun or Eup/Myeon/Dong offices nationwide; and you can also download it from the website of the NEC (http://www.nec.go.kr), Ministry of Public Administration and Security (http://www.mopas.go.kr), or Gu/Si/Gun offices.

Absentee voters can cast their ballots at any polling stations established for absentee voters nationwide for two days from April 5 to April 6: they need to carry the ballots that the NEC sends to them; and the polling stations will be open from 10 AM to 4 PM.

The voters should keep in mind that the ballot will become invalid, if they mark the ballot before they reach the polling station.

Persons who are far away from polling stations for absentees can cast their ballots at his or her residence and should send their ballots to ECs by mail: soldiers or police officers who stay for a long time in barracks or vessels which are far away from polling stations for absentees should get confirmed by their commanders or police chiefs; persons who are not able to move and stay at hospitals or sanitariums for a long time should get confirmed by heads of hospitals or sanitariums; and the severely physically handicapped should get confirmed by heads of Tong/Ri/Ban before applying for absentee voting.

Election Commissions will strongly urge heads of Tong/Ri/Ban and facilities for disabled persons to obey the law; and provide information in advance; and take a stern action against illegal activities regarding voting at his/her residence using measures including the complete enumeration survey of absentee application forms. Illegal activities include making a false application for absentee voters and intercepting ballots sent by ECs to vote by proxy.

In addition, election commissions are focusing on PR activities in order to encourage voters to participate in absentee voting.

Election commissions asked public entities and banks for cooperation: ECs produced PR posters (50,000 units) introducing absentee voting and put them at public entities; and also put leaflets (550,000 units) at public service centers of public entities, banks, etc. in order to help guide visitors.

Add to that, ECs are making a lot of efforts to encourage voters to participate in voting using various channels: such as posting banner ads on the websites of ECs and Internet portal sites; running title ads on TV and outdoor billboards; and hanging up placards carrying information on absentee voting in places like colleges and industrial complex where many prospective absentee voters are expected to be.

Election commissions urged people who cannot vote on election day for some reason to cast their valuable ballots using absentee voting.