The National Election Commission announced that overseas voting begins from March 28 in New Zealand until April 2 at 158 polling stations in 107 countries;  a total of 123, 571 overseas voters will cast their ballots.

The overseas polling stations will be open from 8 AM to 5 PM for 6 days at most during the overseas voting period based on the number of overseas voters: among 158 polling stations, 113 stations will be open for 6 days; 4 stations for 5 days (from March 29 to April 2); 41 stations for 4 days (from March 30 to April 2).

The NEC asked the voters to check the overseas voting guide thoroughly before voting, because the voting period of each overseas polling station may differ depending on the number of overseas voters; or polling stations may be set up at other places rather than diplomatic missions.

The NEC said that it already sent out the overseas voting guide by mail and e-mail to the voters according to addresses written on application forms for overseas voter registration or overseas absentee application forms. The information on the locations and operating periods of polling stations and more can be found on the websites of the Overseas Voting (http://ok.nec.go.kr) and diplomatic missions.

The overseas voters can cast their ballots in the same way they would do in Korea: visit polling stations with your ID card during the voting period; receive a ballot; and vote.

Voters’ ID card should have a picture of themselves, name and the date of birth on it such as a passport, resident registration card, civil service card, driver’s license, and foreigner registration card: the name and the date of birth written on the ID should match the information on the voters list.

The NEC put up the election information on political parties and candidates on the bulletin boards of diplomatic missions and the websites of Overseas Voting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (http://www.mofat.go/kr), and diplomatic missions: the political parties submitted the election information on political parties and candidates to the NEC; and other information on the political parties and candidates can be found on the website of the NEC (http://www.nec.go.kr).

Once the overseas voting is concluded on April 2, the ballot papers will be sent back to Korea by diplomatic pouch or person; and at the Incheon International Airport, ballots will be sent to Gu/Si/Gun election commissions; then, Gu/Si/Gun election commissions will keep the ballots until the election day and count them at counting places when the election is over on April 11.

Overseas polling stations will be open even on holidays; and overseas voters can vote at any overseas polling stations in the world. The NEC asked overseas voters to cast their valuable ballots.