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| An early voting station for the June 13 local elections is installed at Incheon International Airport, Thursday. Early voting will take place Friday and Saturday nationwide. / Yonhap |
By Choi Ha-young
Early voting for the June 13 local elections will take place Friday and Saturday nationwide for those who are unable to cast their ballots on election day.
Voters should bring their ID cards to any polling stations across the nation between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Voters will receive seven ballot papers, one to pick a mayor or governor; two to elect local government heads of a city or district; two for city and district council members; two for city and district proportional representatives; and one for education superintendant.
Since the local elections are being held in tandem with by-elections, some voters need to pick a lawmaker as well. In total, 12 National Assembly seats have been vacated after former representatives threw their hats in to the ring for the elections or were stripped of their seats.
According to Cheong Wa Dae, President Moon Jae-in will vote today, along with his key aides. The move is aimed at encouraging voter participation.
Political parties are also going all-out to promote a high turnout. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Tuesday five of its female lawmakers will dye their hair blue, the party's symbolic color, if the early voter turnout reaches 20 percent.
"If the total turnout exceeds more than 60 percent, five male DPK lawmakers will do so," said Lee Chun-seok, who is leading the DPK's election campaigns.
National Election Commission (NEC) Chairman Kwon Soon-il also issued a statement Thursday to encourage voter participation.
"Please closely compare the policies and promises of candidates and widely pick a public servant who can truly work for you," Kwon said.
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