Photologue @theuostimes7
The early voting for the June 1 nationwide local elections and parliamentary by-elections took place for two days from May 27 to 28. The rate was the highest in the history of local elections. The National Election Commission (NFC) announced that the turnout was 20.62 percent in the early voting of the 8th local elections. This is 0.48 percentage points higher than the early voting rate of 20.14 percent in the 2018 local elections.
June 1 nationwide local elections will be held in most regions, with a total of 7 local congressmen selected at once, including the city governor, mayor, etc. In some regions, by-elections will also be held to fill the vacancy of seven members of the National Assembly.
This local election will be held 85 days after the latest presidential election. Never in the history of elections in Korea have two major elections nationwide been held so closely. This is because the presidential election, which was usually held in December, was moved forward to March due to the impeachment of the former president in 2017. The highest early voting rate in the history of the local elections is interpreted as a gathering of supporters of both major parties in that it is an election held as an extension of the presidential election. However, it is not easy to hastily judge which party is advantageous.
An election is called “the flower of democracy. It is such a significant event that people exercise their rights in a democratic society. However, people should not forget that they can participate in politics through various systems without having to go through elections.