The National Election Commission receives ‘pledges that voters want from political parties and candidates’ from March 19 to increase public interest and participation in policy-oriented election.

Any Korean or foreign citizen participating in the upcoming local elections can suggest pledges via the website http://party.nec.go.kr that they wish candidates for the local elections to promote.

According to the NEC, this event has been arranged to achieve K-Manifesto election that is voter-oriented by revitalizing communication between voters and candidates in the upcoming June 4 local elections.

The NEC is planning to produce a ‘collection of pledges desired by voters’ which is expected to assist political parties and candidates in making promises based on best pledges recommended by voters.

In the 18^th Presidential election, voters’ keen interest and participation resulted in 4,523 pledges received by the NEC, which were delivered to each political party and candidate.

Two separate periods will be operated for the public to suggest pledges. Pledges can be received from March 19 to April 16 and from April 17 to May 20. The best pledges selected from each of the two periods will be announced respectively on April 23 and May 28. Voters whose suggestions are selected as the best pledges will be given souvenirs.

According to the NEC, a voter whose suggestion is selected as the best pledge will be given a laptop worth KRW 1 million while various souvenirs are also given out to other voters who suggest good pledges. There is a good chance of pledges being selected if details are provided such as the reason for suggesting the pledges, how they should be executed, the period concerned, how financing should be secured, etc.

Meanwhile, the NEC has run a space ‘I am a Candidate’ on the website for promoting policies and pledges since February 24 to enable pre-candidates and prospective candidates to promote their educational background, career experience, election pledges, etc.  

The NEC expressed its expectation that holding an event for voters to suggest pledges and running the space ‘I am a Candidate’ would enable voters to get information on candidates and inform candidates of pledges desired by voters in the relevant regions.