PPP urges voters to stay in line amid ballot shortage at Seoul polling stations

By Jung Seok-jun, The Herald Business

The People Power Party on Wednesday urged voters to remain at polling stations and cast their ballots despite a shortage of ballot papers reported at sites across Seoul on the day of the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections.

Jung Seok-jun, the PPP's election campaign headquarters chief, held a press conference at the party's central office in Yeouido, Seoul, calling the situation "a shocking incident that should not and cannot happen at a polling site in South Korea in 2026." He added: "What was so urgent that ballot papers could not even be prepared to the point where citizens are unable to vote?"

Jung said he could not shake suspicions that the shortage may have been triggered by anxiety over rising voter turnout. He criticized the National Election Commission, saying its failure to ensure sufficient ballot papers on election day went "far beyond mere inadequate preparation — it is a dismal level of dereliction of its duty to administer elections fairly and transparently."

Song Eon-seog, co-chairman of the PPP's election campaign committee, said in a statement that voters should "wait calmly and make sure to vote, however difficult it may be." He also strongly urged the NEC to guarantee voting rights for all citizens waiting in line, even past the 6 p.m. closing time.

"This isn't the 19th century — how can this even be happening?" Song said. He added that the party would pursue a full investigation into the incident as soon as the election concluded and would hold those responsible accountable.

Bae Hyun-jin, chairwoman of the PPP's Seoul chapter, also held a press conference at the National Assembly, saying the ballot shortage "shakes the very foundation of democracy" and is "not a simple mistake but proof that the basic election administration system has broken down."

Bae said the party would pursue the matter to the end, demanding preventive measures and the punishment of those responsible for what she described as an infringement on Seoul citizens' right to vote.

She added that President Lee Jae Myung, whom she accused of interfering in the election throughout the campaign with "brazen meddling and frivolous language that made citizens cringe," owed the public an apology for failing to secure enough ballot papers for all citizens to participate.

Meanwhile, the National Election Commission said Wednesday that ballot papers had run short at some polling stations in Songpa-gu, Seoul, and other areas, and that additional ballots were being transported to those locations.