The National Election Commission (NEC), alongside the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), hosted the Seminar for the Improvement of the Election Laws and Systems for nine days from October 22 to October 30 at the A-WEB Secretariat, G-Tower, Songdo. The seminar was part of Official Development Assistance program and was attended by officials from the Elections Commission of the Maldives and the Election Commission of Bangladesh.

During the seminar the participants reviewed the electoral laws of the Maldives and Bangladesh and then compared and analyzed them alongside Korean election laws. In addition, the participants observed By-elections on October 28, including the voting and counting processes, in order to share experiences and practices.

The seminar had four sessions focusing on the following topics:

‣Session One: General Election System, Voters List, Candidates, Early Voting
‣Session Two: Election Campaigns; Restriction, Prohibition, Penalties
‣Session Three: Voting, Ballot Counting, the Elected, Re-elections, By-elections, Electoral Disputes
‣Session Four: Campaign Spending, Political Funds Related to Elections

The presenters from the NEC included election experts such as the Director of Election Team One and Professors from the Korean Civic Education Institute for Democracy (KOCEI), and the participants from the Maldives and Bangladesh included Chairperson, Commissioners and Secretary General of the two Election Management Bodies. The seminar produced high-level presentations and in depth discussions.

Since 2010, the NEC has hosted 50 participants from eight countries as part of seminars to assist in the improvement of electoral laws, and through this program the NEC has sought to promote stronger relationships with participating countries and contribute to the advancement of democracy around the world.

Seminar for the Improvement of Electoral Law and Systems

1. Program Name: The Maldives and Bangladesh Seminar for the Improvement of Electoral Laws and Systems

2. Date: October 22-30, 2015(8 nights, 9 days)

3. Participants: Five election officials each from Bangladesh and the Maldives

4. Place: A-WEB Secretariat, Songdo, Incheon.

5. Host: NEC, A-WEB

6. Program Contents:

◦ Review of the electoral laws of the Maldives and Bangladesh and comparison and analysis alongside Korean election laws.
◦ Observe By-elections on October 28, including the voting and counting processes, and the sharing of experiences and practices

7. Program Schedule

 October 22(Thurs): Arrival at Incheon airport
 October 23(Sat) - 27(Tue): Seminar for the Improvement of Election Laws and Systems
 October 24(Sat): Early voting sites visit October 26(Mon): Visit to the NEC
 October 28(Wed): Voting and counting sites visit
 October 29(Thurs): Assessments seminar and visits to polling and counting sites
 October 30(Fri): Departure from Incheon airport