The National Election Survey Deliberation Commission within the National Election Commission called the first meeting of the Commission on March 5 to elect the first Chairperson and embark on activities for ensuring objectivity and reliability of election surveys.

The NESDC is the election survey deliberation body established as an independent agency within the NEC and Si/Do Election Commissions since February 13 in accordance with the revised Public Official Election Act to ensure objectivity and reliability of election surveys that predict the approval ratings for political parties and the elected candidates.

According to the NESDC, Prof. Kim Young-Won (Professor from Sookmyung Women’s University, President of the Korean Association for Survey Research) has been elected the first Chairperson.

The newly-elected Chairperson said in his inaugural speech that the NESDC would make its best efforts to enhance objectivity and reliability of election surveys by preventing the distortion of facts and reflecting public opinion through the public announcement of standards for election surveys, the posting of deliberation results on the NESDC website, the deliberation on objections against election survey outcomes, etc.

In addition, the Chairperson asked the public to use election surveys only as a reference for gauging the development of public opinion and to note that election surveys do not indicate the result of elections, given that there should always be a margin of error in election surveys made public despite their positive functions in helping voters make a right choice and preventing frivolous candidacy.  

The NESDC comprises one person recommended by each political party holding a negotiation group in the National Assembly and neutral and fair individuals including professionals from academia, legal circles, survey-related agencies and organizations, etc. appointed by the NEC. The Commissioners shall serve a 3-year term.

On February 26, Mr. Yun Seok-Gun, the Chief Election & Policy Officer of NEC was appointed as the Standing Commissioner by the NEC.

Meanwhile, the NESDC discussed the establishment of ‘Standards for Election Surveys’ to ensure objectivity and reliability of election surveys at the meeting of the Commission and decided to announce the standards on March 25 after collecting opinions from all level of society through a public hearing and others.

The Election Survey Deliberation Commission in 17 Si/Do Election Commissions all elected the Chairperson and initiated official activities.