60 Days Until National Assembly Elections: Election Polls in the Name of Political Parties and Candidates Prohibited

Local government heads prohibited from attending political events and holding or sponsoring various events

The National Election Commission conducts public opinion polls on elections in the name of any political party (including Preparatory Committee for Formation of Poltiical Party, hereinafter the same shall apply) or candidate (including prospective candidates, hereinafter the same) starting from February 10, which is 60 days before the 22nd National Assembly election, until the election day. Movever, the head of the local government shall not attend political events such as political opinion and policy presentations held by political parties.

Prohibition of election polls in the name of political parties or candidates

No one may 1) conduct an opinion poll on an election using a method similar to a ballot or 2) conduct an opinion poll on an election in the name of a candidate or political party.

Opinion surveys conducted by candidates among constituency residents to unify candidates can be used as internal data without announcing the results, such as approval rating figures, and public opinion can be used as an alternative to primary elections in accordance with the party constitution, party rules, or written agreement between primary candidates. The investigation may be conducted in the name of a political party. However, the results of public opinion polls regarding the relevant election conducted by political parties or candidates cannot be announced or reported until the polls close on the election day.

Prohibition of actions that influence the election of local government heads

The head of a local government shall NOT　1) promote and publicize the platform, policies, cautions and arguments of a political party to the constituents; 2) attend any political events held by the political party, such as current affairs lectures, political opinion or policy presentations, party member training or unity rallies, etc; and 3) visit election preparation organizations, election offices, and election liaison offices.

However, it is possible for them to attend party creation, merger, reorganization conventions, and candidate selection conventions, or to make a courtesy visit to public events held by the affiliated party for party members only as a party member.

Prohibition of holding or sponsoring various events by local government heads, etc.

Local government heads and affiliated public officials shall not hold or sponsor liberal arts lectures, business briefings, public hearings, functional group meetings, sports competitions, senior citizen events, civil complaint consultations, or other various events.

However, they may hold or sponsor an event in accordance with the law or an event that cannot achieve its purpose unless it is on a specific day or at a specific time. An act for relief or recovery from natural disasters or other disasters and job support training or providing paid support Acts such as sponsoring liberal arts classes held by local residents or community autonomy centers or acts to resolve group complaints or urgent complaints may be allowed.

The National Election Commission announced that it plans to provide political parties, candidates, and local governments with guidance on restrictions and prohibited activities by period to prevent violations due to ignorance of the law, while taking strict action against public officials participating in elections.