The National Election Commission announced the activities prohibited in relation to the 6^th Nationwide Local Elections from March 6, 90 days before Election Day and ordered Si/Do and Gu/Si/Gun Election Commissions to increase guidance on the election law.

The Public Official Election Act restricts or prohibits some activities in relation to elections during a certain period to guarantee an equal opportunity among candidates and prevent a social and economic loss caused by overheated competition in election.

p  Restriction on advertisements including candidates’ names and on candidates appearing in advertisements

In reference to the upcoming local elections, no one shall engage in the following activities from March 6 to Election Day:

Ÿ   Advertise publications, entertainment, plays, movies, photos, etc. using names of political parties and candidates (including those seeking to become candidates) in the ways not prescribed by the Public Official Election Act; and

Ÿ   Appear in television/radio commercials, and in ads included in newspapers, magazines, etc.

p  Restriction on publication celebrations and briefings on legislative activities

Ÿ   Publication celebrations for books relevant to candidates shall not be held; and

Ÿ   National Assembly members and local council members shall not report legislative activities in other ways than by posting on the Internet website or its bulletin board/chat room and by sending emails and text messages.

p  Public officials and others shall be restricted from running for election

In accordance with the Public Official Election Act, persons of official position including public officials and others shall resign from their post by 90 days before Election Day to run for office or engage in election campaign to ensure fairness of election.

Ÿ   Public officials, full-time executives of government-invested agencies and local public corporations, and journalists defined by a Presidential decree shall resign from their position by March 6, 90 days before Election Day to run for the upcoming local elections; and

Ÿ   Heads of Tong/Ri/Ban, members of community committee and squadron leaders or higher ranking officials shall resign from their post by March 6, 90 days before Election Day to become election campaign managers, chiefs of the election campaign liaison office, election campaign staff, assistants to preliminary candidates/candidates, accountants in charge, election campaign speechmakers, debaters, voting observers, and early voting observers.

Ÿ   In the case heads of local government or local council members run for another term in the corresponding constituencies, they do not need to resign from their post.

Ÿ   National Assembly members running for elections of heads of local government shall resign from their post before candidate registration begins.