According to the National Election Commission, the registration of pre-candidates running for Si/Do Governors and Superintendents of Education in the upcoming 6^th Nationwide Local Elections begins on February 4.

The above-mentioned registration will be done at 17 Si/Do Election Commissions and last till May 14, the day before the starting day of candidate registration.

Anyone seeking to register as a pre-candidate for Si/Do Governors or Superintendents of Education shall submit a copy of resident registration or others to prove his/her electoral eligibility, a document to prove criminal records, an academic transcript, etc. and make a deposit of KRW 10 million (20/100 of the deposit to be made by a candidate, KRW 50 million) with the relevant election commission.   

Anyone including public officials whose profession is restricted from running for the public official elections shall resign from his/her post by March 6, 90 days before Election Day. Resignation shall be done before his/her registration as a pre-candidate if he/she seeks to register as a pre-candidate.

·       The proposal for amending the Local Education Autonomy Act by adding a requirement for candidates for Superintendents of Education – more than three years of experience in the area of teaching/educational administration – was decided by the National Assembly Special Committee on Political Reform on January 29, 2013.

Pre-candidates for Si/Do Governors and Superintendents of Education are permitted to do the following:

·       establish the election campaign office;

·       distribute business cards to be used for election campaign;

·       wear shoulder sashes or marks;

·       directly seek support via phone

·       send out one kind of campaign material up to the number limited by the election commission (less than 10/100 of the number of households in the relevant electoral district); and

·       publish and sell one kind of election pledge book

The pre-candidate system is to ensure new politicians are given an opportunity to introduce themselves by allowing them to engage in election campaigns even before the election campaign period.

Pre-candidates shall re-register as candidates during the candidate registration period (May 15 – 16) to run for elections and anyone not registered as a pre-candidate may also run for an election once registered as a candidate.

The election commission holds a ‘briefing session for pre-candidate registration’ in relevant regions and provides guidance on what needs to be done for pre-candidate registration, election campaign methods allowed for pre-candidates, etc.

Anyone can call 1390 or ask the relevant election commission for information on the scheduled dates of briefing sessions and pre-candidate registration.

< Timelines for 6^th Nationwide Local Elections>

·       Resignation period: by March 6 (Thu)

·       Base date for compiling the voters list: May 13 (Tue)

·       Application for voting at one’s own residence: May 13 – 17

·       Candidate registration: May 15 – 16

·       Early voting: May 30 – 31

·       Election Day: June 4 (Wed)