The National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea announced that, they prepared the special COVID-19 prevention measures to ensure the voters’ safety for the

upcoming re and by–election on the April 7th. Upon the foundation of the thorough management during the 21st National Assembly Elections last year without even one confirmed case, the NEC focused on guaranteeing the right to vote and exercise of the right to vote for the election this time as well.

Preparation of the special prevention measures for safe exercise of the right to vote

 The NEC plans to execute the disinfection management using the methods of surface sterilization before the day of election, and ventilate sufficiently before and after the disinfection process in the 722 early polling stations and 3459 regular polling stations. Once the stations undergo disinfection process, no visitors will be allowed before the start day of voting.

*Surface sterilization: It is a method to wipe off using a cloth soaked with sanitizer for the surface of walls and the parts that are often come in contact with people’s hands; after some time passes, it needs to be wiped off again with a cloth soaked with water.

Polling station staff will need to wear medical gloves, and the officials dedicated for the fever-checking, temporary polling booths and identification checking are to wear additional face protectors.

Voters with no fever or respiratory problems are admitted to enter polling stations wearing sanitary gloves after hand sanitization. However, voters without masks or with fever [37.5 or above] or with respiratory symptoms will be able to vote in the temporary polling booth.

The polling station staff are to sterilize the marking devices and desks frequently, and ventilate at least once every 2 hours or open windows at all times; voters should keep the adequate distance among other voters.

Management of the separated early special voting polling stations for the COVID-19 confirmed patients

The NEC, after the consultations with related organizations, will set up the special early voting polling stations within the daily care centers: five in Seoul, and one in Busan. It will be operated for specific hours on the April 3rd during the early voting period. The targeted voters are the confirmed COVID-19 patients and medical support staff.

Management of the separated temporary polling booths for the COVID-19 self-quarantined

The NEC plans to operate the temporary polling booths to separate the voting locations and time from the general voters since the self-quarantined are temporarily allowed to go out on the day of election, so that they will be able to vote.

If those self-quarantined without fever or respiratory symptoms had reported their will to vote, they must be at the polling stations before 8 pm using their cars or on foot guided by staff appointed by the local government. After 8 pm when voting hours for general voters are completed, they can move to the temporary polling stations and have their fever checked, sterilize hands, and put on their gloves, after which they can vote according to the number on a given ticket. The polling station staff for temporary polling booths will need to wear the disinfection clothing, and sterilize the marking devices and desks immediately after the voting one after another.

The NEC said that they will do their utmost with the belief that disinfecting as much as possible is the best election management, so that the voters will be able to exercise their rights to vote in a safe manner.

Attached: 1. Information on establishment of special early voting polling stations

             2. Code of conduct for people for the re and by-election

[Attachment 1]

❏ Number of early voting poling station setup: five booths in Seoul, and one in Busan

※ The time is subject to change dependent upon the check-in and check-out of the

additional confirmed patients till the day of early voting.

[Attachment 2]

Code of Conduct for Voters to Participate in the April 7th Re and By-elections

1. Prepare your ID card in advance before going to the polling station

2. Avoid being accompanied by young children if possible

3. Wash your hands for 30 seconds thoroughly with soap and running water before going to the polling station

4. Wear a mask and go to the polling station

5. Complete your temperature check at the entrance of the polling station and wear the disposable vinyl gloves after sanitizing your hands

6. Inside and outside of a polling station, maintain enough distance from other voters

7. Avoid unnecessary conversations inside and outside of the polling station

8. Lower your mask temporarily at the identification section in the polling station

9. If you have any symptoms such as a fever, vote at a temporary polling booth and visit a public health center or call 1339 or area code + 120 after voting

10. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water for 30 seconds when you return home