Politics · South Korea · 18 mins ago
Special prosecutor searches election commission over ballot printer contract
A special prosecutor searched South Korea’s National Election Commission on November 4.
The investigation concerns suspected problems in the commission’s handling of the June 3 local elections.
Investigators found indications that one company may have received preferential treatment when the commission chose a supplier for early-voting ballot printers.
The contract was valued at about 45.9 billion won.
The allegations concern how a public body selected a supplier, but no finding of wrongdoing is stated.
The investigation is continuing, and the search is part of efforts to examine the suspected election-management failures.
A special prosecutor is searching South Korea’s National Election Commission and Seoul Election Commission over suspected post-election alteration of polling records.
Investigators say the records concerned polling stations affected by shortages of ballot papers during the June 3 local elections.
The prosecutor says unnumbered ballots were distributed and used at more than 140 polling stations, and altered records were found at at least 40.
The searches began at about 9 a.m. on November 4 and involved 44 personnel, according to Donga Ilbo.
A separate report said investigators were also examining suspected preferential treatment in a contract for early-voting ballot printers.
- Who
- The election commission special prosecutor led by Lee Tae-han.
- What
- It searched the National Election Commission and Seoul Election Commission over suspected altered polling records; a separate report said it was also investigating suspected favoritism in a ballot-printer contract.
- When
- The searches began at about 9 a.m. on November 4, 2026.
- Where
- The National Election Commission and Seoul Election Commission in South Korea.
- Why
- Investigators suspect records were altered after ballot-paper shortages and are examining suspected preferential treatment in selecting a ballot-printer supplier.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ballot-paper shortages occurred during the local elections.
Investigators say election bodies directed polling records to be filled in later and gathered the results.
The special prosecutor began searches at the National Election Commission and Seoul Election Commission.
- Ballot-paper distribution
- Unnumbered ballots were used at more than 140 polling stations
- Altered records
- Found at a minimum of 40 polling stations
- Search personnel
- 44, according to Donga Ilbo
- Search locations
- National Election Commission and Seoul Election Commission
- Printer contract
- Suspected favoritism in a contract for early-voting ballot printers
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이처럼 위·변조된 투표록이 발견된 곳은 무번호 용지가 배포된 140여 곳 중 최소 40여 곳이며 조작된 투표록은 중앙선관위에 취합된 뒤 국회 등 관계 기관에도 진실을 숨긴 채 그대로 제출된 것으로 의심된다