A photo taken inside a voting booth on the first day of early voting for the 9th nationwide local elections was posted on social media, prompting a police investigation. With early voting under way, voters are being urged to exercise caution over what can be photographed for voting verification and which standards apply.
According to police and Yonhap News on Wednesday, the Yongin Dongbu Police Station is tracking one social media user on suspicion of violating the Public Official Election Act.
After receiving a report that day that "a photo taken inside a voting booth has been posted on social media," police confirmed the location was the early voting station at the Sangha-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Giheung-gu, Yongin. They are currently working to identify the person who took and posted the photo based on the social media account information and posts.
It has not yet been confirmed whether an actual ballot was captured in the photo in question. However, the Public Official Election Act strictly prohibits photographing ballots inside voting booths.
Under Article 166-2 of the Public Official Election Act, no one may photograph a ballot inside a voting booth, and violators may face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 4 million won.
The National Election Commission advises that anyone taking a verification photo during the early voting period should use a photo zone set up outside the polling station or polling station signs, rather than the interior.
However, verification shots that encourage voting participation are permitted. It is possible to make a number sign with one's fingers or take a photo against the backdrop of a particular candidate's campaign poster or promotional installation, then post it on social media along with a message encouraging voting participation.
Meanwhile, early voting for the 9th nationwide local elections runs for two days from the 29th through the 30th, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Voters can cast ballots at any of the 3,571 early voting stations nationwide regardless of their registered residence. They must bring a photo ID such as a resident registration card, driver's license, or passport, and mobile IDs may also be used. However, image files of photographed IDs are not accepted.
Voters within their district receive a ballot, mark it, and place it directly in the ballot box, while voters outside their district receive a ballot along with a return envelope, mark the ballot, place it in the envelope, seal it, and then insert it into the ballot box.
The National Election Commission urged, "To guarantee the secrecy of the vote and ensure fair election management, photography inside voting booths is prohibited," adding, "Please use the permitted places and methods for voting verification."
