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| A man who wants to run in the June 13 local election fills in a candidacy registration form at a National Election Commission office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Friday. / Yonhap |
By Choi Ha-young
The National Election Commission (NEC) opened preliminary candidacy registration for those who want to run for heads of boroughs and local councilors in the June 13 local elections, Friday.
Registration for those to run for mayor, governor and heads of regional educational offices has been underway since Feb. 13.
Politicians who will run for county councilor positions can register from April 1.
The upcoming local elections also include by-elections to pick at least seven lawmakers. As of Friday, seven electoral districts are empty, following incumbent resignations or those being found guilty of various crimes. More districts may need by-elections, since some incumbent lawmakers are likely to quit their posts to run for governor and mayor posts.
The preliminary candidacy policy is aimed at facilitating campaigns of lesser-known political rookies. After competitions to nominate each party's candidates, the nominees should register for the candidacy from May 24 to 25.
The official election campaigns will start May 31, according to the NEC.
In the release, the NEC urged the National Assembly to rapidly confirm the electoral districts for the June election. The rival parties attempted to determine the districts Feb. 28, but the conservative Liberty Korea Party put the brakes on this. The Assembly's plenary session will pass a revision bill, March 5.
Political bigwigs are busy as the election nears. Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, who ran in a presidential primary of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, said he will resign from the post March 15, to run for the Gyeonggi governorship.
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