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Investigators Raid South Korea Election Commission Over Suspected Turnout Data Falsification

Alleged unauthorized edits to hourly turnout figures could erode public trust in election administration.

Headquarters of the National Election Commission (Yonhap)
Investigators on a prosecution-police task force enter the National Election Commission headquarters in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, on July 23, 2026, to secure evidence in a widening investigation into ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections. (Yonhap)
Dozens of polling stations in South Korea experienced unprecedented ballot paper shortages on the June 3 nationwide vote
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Overview

  • A joint prosecution-police task force executed search-and-seizure warrants at the NEC headquarters in Gwacheon and at local branches in Songpa, Gangnam and Seocho on Thursday to collect evidence.
  • Investigators say they found signs that some NEC employees manipulated the commission’s electronic turnout statistics without following the required reporting and approval process.
  • The probe alleges staff redistributed excess votes across multiple polling stations in the system to mask input errors rather than formally reporting corrections to supervisors.
  • Two election officials have been formally placed under investigation on suspicion of falsifying official electronic records while investigators examine whether higher-level officials were aware or gave approval.
  • The controversy follows June 3 ballot shortages that left at least 90 people unable to vote and has intensified calls for institutional reforms, wider probes and a special counsel to restore confidence in the NEC.