Page 150 - Conducting Elections during COVID-19

132 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS DURING COVID-19

South Korea

Managing Elections in Response to COVID-19

Republic of South Korea: A Pioneer in Managing National
Elections during COVID-19

Introduction
South Korea conducted their 21st National Assembly elections on 15th April, 2020, despite the on-
going COVID-19 pandemic. With more than 10,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 225 reported
deaths, South Korea had a challenge to conduct its National Assembly Elections. The National Election
Commission (NEC) of South Korea conducted this COVID-19 safe election in a manner that has been
highly appreciated by the international community across the world. While many other countries
postponed their elections, the Republic of South Korea became one of the pioneer countries to hold
a national election since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the democracies of the world look at the
South Korean election management model for guidance.
For a safe, smooth conduct of elections, it was necessary to develop a plan with robust safety measures
to manage the electoral process in response to the spread of COVID-19 within communities and
nationwide. On April 12 the National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea announced
an election management plan that would allow everyone to vote safely based on the government’s
easing of the restrictions on the movement of quarantined voters. As a result the citizens were able to
vote in person before and during the Election Day. COVID-19 patients were able to vote from home and
hospitals by mail, based on a recent EMB ruling on the election code.

NEC also developed a code of conduct and voter education material to facilitate citizen participation
in elections. Strict safety measures were introduced to ensure voters’ safety and prevent the spread of
COVID-19 in the country.
South Korean Voters go through extensive safety measures

The NEC plan envisaged thorough segregation voter movement through the polling stations, voting
time for voters in quarantine and strengthened safety measures for polling staff at temporary polling
booths. About 14,000 Polling Stations were open across the country after disinfection by 6 AM (0900
GMT) on the Poll Day. On arrival at a polling station, voters had their temperature checked. They had
to wear masks and gloves while entering the polling station. Anyone with temperature higher than 37.5
Celsius (99.5 Fahrenheit) was led to a special booth. All voters had to use hand sanitizer and plastic
gloves when casting ballots and maintain 1 metre (40 inches) distance between each other.

South Korea holds elections under strict safety measures amid COVID-19 pandemic: Strict
measures were put in place to ensure voter safety