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60 Days from the April 7 Re and By-election Surveys with Names of Candidates or Political Parties Prohibited

Date :02/16/2021Read : 123

= Restrictions on holding and sponsoring various events by heads of local governments, etc. =

 = Restrictions on advertising certain parties’ policies or visiting an election campaign organization by heads of local governments =


 The National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea announced that, from February 6, 60 days prior the April 7 re and by-election, until the election day, no one can conduct a survey regarding election while showing names of a candidate or a political party, and heads of governments (including any acting principal) in regions where re and by-elections will be held on April 7 are prohibited from holding and sponsoring various events. 

 

The following acts are restricted or prohibited from February 6.


Public survey presenting the names of certain candidates or political parties prohibited

 

No one can carry out an election survey with the names of a political party and a candidate (including aspiring candidates). For instance, any survey is prohibited from informing the names, such as “we are from ○○○ party, “or “this is candidate’s office.” It aims to prevent political parties or candidates from using surveys to increase voters’ approval rating.

 

However, it is possible for political parties to conduct a public poll regarding their primary elections. Furthermore, polling organizations commissioned by a party or a candidate are able to carry out surveys, provided that the survey is conducted under the name of the polling organization without the name of the clients, and as long as it does not fall under the acts of election campaign.


Restrictions on holding and sponsoring various events by heads of local governments, etc.


Heads of local governments and public officials are not allowed to hold or sponsor special lectures, project explanation meetings, public hearings, meetings of professional groups, sports events, entertaining events for the aged, counselling of petition by general public, and other various events.

                

The exceptions are as follows:


    • Holding or sponsoring events under statutes

    • Holding or sponsoring events whose purposes may not be achieved unless they are held on a

        special day or during a specific period of time

    • Relieving or restoring damages or losses from natural disasters, or other hazards

    • Holding or sponsoring vocation training or cultural lectures provided at a cost, or   

        sponsoring cultural lectures to be held by the community center

    • Solving a group civil petition or an urgent civil petition


Heads of local governments restricted from advertising certain parties’ policies or visiting an election campaign organization


Heads of local governments are restricted from advertising or propagating the platforms, policies, doctrine and advocacy of the party to the residents in the constituency, and attending all political events held by a political party, such as a lecture meeting on the current situation, campaign meeting, or rally for training and unity of party members, etc., and visiting an election preparation organization, election campaign office, or election campaign liaison office.

 

However, it is possible to attend a rally for formation of a political party, merger of parties, party reorganization, or election of candidates, and to pay a courtesy call as a member to political party's public open meetings organized only for its members by the political party whereto they belong.

 

The NEC notified restricted and prohibited acts for different time period to local governments, in areas where re and by-election will be held, potential candidates and political parties in a bid to prevent any violation by asking for their cooperation. The NEC announced that it will take a firm action against public officials involving in elections.



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