| Paul DeGregorio, A-WEB's advisor, left feedback in Seoul Shinmun Opinion Page after participating in 2014 Election Visitor Program of A-WEB |
|---|
| Last updated 2014-08-05 |
|
Paul DeGregorio, one of A-WEB's International Advisors, left feedback in Seoul Shinmun's Opinion Page after participating in 2014 Election Visitor Program of A-WEB.
The content is shown below.
Election Visitor Program shines a positive light on Korea's election process
By Paul DeGregorio, USA Recently I was privileged to be part of an Election Visitor's program sponsored by the Republic of Korea's National Election Commission (NEC), in cooperation with the Incheon-based Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), to observe election activities relating to the 4 June 2014 local elections in Korea and to participate in an Election Knowledge Fair .
Having served as Chairman of the United States Election Assistance Commission, Vice President of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, and Chief of Mission for several election assessment missions for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, I have observed elections in over 35 countries. This was the first time I observed elections in Korea.
Other global participants included chief officials from election management bodies, key academics in the field of election administration, technology and the law, and top officials from some of the most important NGOs involved in the promotion of democracy and free and fair elections in every corner of the globe.
?The 116 delegates from 45 countries were able to observe Korea's first-ever nationwide early voting process, and the 4 June election day activities, including voting and counting procedures. In addition to hearing from highly-regarding Korean academics and experts regarding the Korean system of elections, participants experienced world-renown speakers on subjects such as the use of ICT and technology in elections, serving underprivileged voting, the importance of the independence of election management bodies and best practices.
The Republic of Korea has undergone a remarkable transition over the past 60 years. As an American who was born in 1952, I am well-aware of the sacrifices made by American soldiers and the people of South Korea during the Korea War. I have also followed the struggles of South Korea as it sought to shed the problems of the past to transition to the promise of the future. Indeed, the Republic of Korea has grown from abject poverty and political dictatorship to a vibrant economy with strong democratic values. While this change was with the support of many established democracies, including the United States, it is clear that the people of Korea brought about this change through their own civic action and through the ballot box. Indeed, the Republic of Korea's success story is a strong example for other emerging and struggling democracies throughout the world.
These strong democratic values were on clear display in the local elections conducted on 4 June. The NEC played a strong leadership role to insure the political parties played by the rules, and that the election process provided the greatest opportunity for the 41.1 million voters of Korea to participate in the election. A-WEB played an important role in the program to bring together key election officials from established and emerging democracies from every corner of the globe to learn from Korea--and to learn from each other in a Election Knowledge Fair that they sponsored during the event. To accommodate the diversity of the international guests, interpretation was provided in five languages. The entire program was leadership and training at its best.
Delegates participating with the Election Visitors Program were thoroughly briefed by NEC officials and local academics regarding Korean election laws and procedures relating to local elections. On 31 May, they were taken to early voting sites to witness how Korean voters were given the opportunity to cast their ballots early. They were also able to observe campaign activities by the political parties and also enjoy experiences that included the long history of the special culture of Korea.
To facilitate the logistics of the observation program, on election day delegates were divided into 10 groups. Each group selected a leader to obtain impressions and comments from group members.
Collectively, the delegates visited over 50 polling stations in urban and rural areas. They were up early to observe the preparations by polling station officials and the first voters to cast ballots on election morning. In the evening, delegates were present at the closing of the polling stations and observed the important procedures used to secure the ballots and materials, and deliver them to the counting centers.
At the Counting Centers, observers were able to watch the process of receiving, processing and accounting for each and every ballot. They watched the elaborate procedures that included manual and technical processes to verify each ballot and each choice on the ballot. They also were able to see how the results are verified and then issued to the public.
During every step of the observation process, Korean election officials, domestic political party observers, and voters were very accommodating to their international guests. They all willingly answered questions and provided information and their opinions on the process.
On 5 June, NEC Deputy Secretary General Mr. Yong-Hi Kim moderated a vigorous post-election three hour session whereby the international group leaders and all delegates were given the opportunity to express their impressions and views regarding the election observation and their visit to Korea.
Some of the highlights of their impressions including the following comments.
○ Involvement of young people in the election process in the Republic of Korea is exemplary. We took note of the voluntary involvement of high school students--who were not yet old enough to vote--to greet voters as they arrived at the polling station-and to thank them for voting when they left the polling stations. It was also noted that many young people served as polling place officials and were also involved at the Counting Centers. This strong involvement of young people is a very valuable learning experience for them, and certainly encourages a life-long commitment to the importance of elections and democratic values. Many international delegates indicated they would like to copy this Best Practice in their countries. ○ In spite of a higher-than-expected turnout, early voting was conducted very efficiently. Impressive technology was utilized in a very important manner, which helped to process the voters quickly and which had important security elements such as fingerprinting and other identification procedures in place to prevent double voting and fraud. It was very impressive that any one of the 41.3 million voters from throughout the country could cast their ballot at any one of the 3,000 early voting sites and receive the ballot papers with the contests for the address where they were registered. Many international delegates believed the entire process is a Best Practice for other countries to emulate. ○ Opening and closing of polling places were at exact time, and polling stations were well- organized and staffed. All polling stations had political party observers. The processing of voters was very good, in spite of a good turnout. Voters appeared to be enthusiastic to participate in the election and cast their ballot, even though some had to wait in line. There was a high level of literacy; almost all voters understand process and did not require assistance.. ○ The ink stamp was good way to mark ballot papers, as it avoided mistakes. The portable polling booths were impressive, especially the ability by those with wheelchair to use booth. Ballot box light and efficient. ○ Many delegates noted the high participation in early voting, and a strong turnout on election day, bringing turnout to over 57%, which is much higher for local elections than most democracies of the world. In the USA, turnout in local elections average 15-30%. ○ It is clear that the NEC is a strong catalyst for free and fair elections in the Republic of Korea.
The delegation of international election observers did have several suggestions and recommendations that may be considered by the NEC and public policy makers to improve the voting process in Korea.
Those recommendations included: 1. Since participation in the two-day early voting period was very strong, Korea may want to consider extending the number of days available for early voting. 2. It was noted that while there was significant use of technology in the early voting process, which made the process efficient and more secure, on election day there was complete reliance on human workforce, with no use of technology to serve voters. Many delegates wondered why a country so advance in the use of technology in their daily lives does not use any technology at polling places on election day. Consideration may be given to using electronic poll books or similar technology--like the kind used in early voting--to make the process go smoother. A nationwide expansion of such a system could allow voters to go to any polling location--much like they do in early voting. Perhaps the NEC could work with the political parties, policy makers and civic groups to have them understand how more use of technology is positive for process and positive for Korea’s image. 3. Some of the teams noted that the merging of the two steps of receiving and casting ballots at the polling place could potentially enhanced the efficiency of the process in the polling station. 4. For the closing of the polling stations, it was noted that election officials were rushing off to be first in the counting center and the group took note of the fact to see that only limited checks and balances were conducted in the polling stations 5. During the counting process the overall organization was impressive, including the manual recount of all ballots after the automated sorting and counting. However several delegates noted possibilities to increase efficiency and transparency of the process.
In conclusion, the NEC and A-WEB should be highly commended for the excellent program and warm hospitality they offered international observers. It is certainly a model for other countries to follow. There was a very good exchange of information and transparency, and delegates came away very impressed by the Korean election system and the Korean people. |