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South Korean investigators on Thursday raided the National Election Commission (NEC) over allegations that officials falsified voter turnout figures during the June 3 local elections.
Police and prosecutors carried out searches at NEC offices and the Gyeonggi Provincial Election Commission as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged irregularities.
A spokesman for the investigative team told AFP that authorities had uncovered indications that election officials entered false voter turnout figures during the nationwide polls.
“We have found indications that officials from the National Election Commission and the Gyeonggi Provincial Election Commission entered false voter turnout figures during the local elections, and are also conducting searches and seizures of those involved,” the spokesman said.
The June 3 elections were the first local polls held since President Lee Jae Myung assumed office last year.
The vote was marred by widespread ballot paper shortages at dozens of polling stations, triggering criticism over the management of the election.
The controversy led to the resignation of NEC chief Roh Tae-ak and prompted protests by opposition supporters and civic groups demanding that the elections be rerun.
Authorities have not announced any charges, but the investigation is expected to determine whether election officials manipulated turnout data or committed other electoral offences during the polls.
