Bae Hyun-Jin, People's Power lawmaker, ”The Election Commission's negligence in its management duties has amplified the public's anger and distrust” (South Korea)

On the 29th, People's Power lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin said in response to reports that a large number of ballots were removed from the first day of early voting for the presidential election, "All candidates, including People's Power candidate Kim Moon-soo,
"While members of the electoral commission were calling on people to 'vote early, rest assured,' the Election Commission foolishly neglected its administrative duties once again, amplifying the anger and distrust of the people," he said.
On the same day, Rep. Bae wrote on Feibook, "Even sloppy voting was not enough, so this time it's rice bowl voting. News that should never have been published was reported on the first day of early voting."
He added, "The National Election Commission will immediately check whether such incidents have occurred at polling stations across the country, not just at the Sinchon polling station in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, and will report the results to the public.
"We must be prepared to take measures such as an apology to the public for the election management deficiencies and disciplinary action against those responsible."
Rep. Bae repeatedly said, "You have an unkind and high-handed attitude toward the suspicions of the public, and even frequently
"It's pathetic that the NEC can't even do something once a year properly and causes problems every time," he said.
At the polling station in the Gushinchon Community Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, where early voting had finished in the morning, citizens who had received their ballots and were waiting to vote left the polling station with their ballots still in hand.
During this process, some citizens were seen taking photos of their ballots, or eating meals before going home when the waiting time became too long, sparking controversy.
The National Election Commission said, "The area of the pre-voting stations is small, and there is not enough waiting space for people who come to vote, so pre-voting officers are working outside the buildings.
"We moved the waiting area for early voters outside. There were administrative shortcomings in not adjusting the speed at which ballots were issued when the waiting lines got long," the statement acknowledged.
"Police and guides were stationed outside the polling stations, but only a small number of people left the waiting line," the election commission said in a statement.
"We apologize for not being thorough in controlling those waiting, and for the inconvenience caused. We will make efforts to prevent a recurrence of a similar incident in the future."