Strict Regulation on Unfair Polls

by「Investigation Team on Illegal Public Opinion Polls」

= Meeting was held for special regulation on 2014 local elections=

The National Election Commission of Republic of Korea (NEC) had a special meeting to regulate 2014 local elections, attending 50 people from Si/Do (metropolitan areas) Election Commission. In the meeting, followings were directed to the participating commissions; special measures to prevent and crackdown major violation such as ▲ public disclosure of unfair opinion poll ▲ interference into local elections by public officials ▲ illegal political funding in return for candidate nomination ▲ illegal activities by media.

▣ Preventive Measures, including Unfair Opinion Poll

In order to strongly respond to the disclosure of illegal public opinion polls during election, NEC has decided to form an「Investigation Team on Illegal Public Opinion Polls」at the National and Si/Do election commissions for the first time in the election history.

「Investigation Team on Illegal Public Opinion Polls」is planning to thoroughly investigate into cases such as reports by a party or a candidate because of objectivity and credibility issue of opinion poll, or matters that have a legitimate reason to be considered violation of law in terms of publicizing polls and evaluating policy and pledge. As for those allegations, the investigation may be followed in accordance with Public Official Election Act.

▣ Measures to Prevent Public Officials from Involving in Local Elections  

One of the biggest problems in local elections has been illegal activities to influence elections using connections with public officials. This will be strictly dealt with in 2014 local elections, regardless of the involved public officials'''' position. In addition, all corrective measures will be made known to media.

In dealing with public officials involved, his/her activities will be reported to the Board of Audit and Inspection and the central government agency, resulting in social and financial disadvantage against the official. In addition, even the government agency where the concerned public official belongs to will be given a disadvantage in evaluation conducted by the central government agency.

NEC will call for each government agency to strengthen in-house monitoring of involvement in election by its public officials and if a whistle blower hopes to be transferred, it will be done as he/she wishes.

▣ Measures to Root out Illegal Political Funding concerning Nomination

The National and SI/Do election commissions will put together「Investigation Task Force in Candidate Nomination」to strengthen regulations on shady transactions involved in operating illegal groups engaged in collusive ties between candidate and indigenous power.

In addition, in order to take a firm stance on the false reimbursement of election cost, NEC will run a website providing price information about electioneering prop and collecting data on campaign cost before and during the election period.

▣ Preventive Measures to Prevent Illegal Activities by Media

Illegal activities by media such as asking for or receiving money in return for positive or negative coverage on a particular party or candidate will be under strict investigation by a special task force. Meanwhile, a consortium will be formed with media groups to create an environment for fair media coverage.

NEC will increase the number of task forces specialized in investigating illegal activities, from 40 to 51, and strengthen the regulation on serious election crimes.

In addition, preventive measures will be strengthened so that there will not be such cases as violating the election law out of ignorance. Meanwhile, NEC has directed to exercise extra cautions in regulation so that it would not restrict freedom of speech on politics and free participation in election by the public.

As of now, election law violations occurred in the 6th local election are 599 in total, including 24 reports and 10 requests for investigation.