On the 3rd, the main voting day of the 6·3 local elections, confusion is unfolding at the No. 6 polling station in Jamsil 2-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, as voters wait due to a shortage of ballot papers. Yonhap News

The People Power Party said of ballot paper shortages that occurred in parts of Seoul on the day of the 6·3 local elections that it was “the collapse of the basic system of election management,” adding that it would “hold those responsible to the end.”

On the 3rd, at the ballot counting situation room at the party central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, People Power Party Secretary-General Jeong Hee-Yong said it was “a shocking incident that could not, and must not, happen at polling sites in the Republic of Korea in 2026,” adding, “We cannot dispel the suspicion that, as voter turnout rose, tension led to this happening.”

The People Power Party issued successive statements on the ballot paper shortage, saying it “will definitely hold those responsible to account.” Addressing the National Election Commission, Secretary-General Jeong said, “Take swift measures to ensure that citizens who were unable to exercise their voting rights can vote, and clearly explain the cause of this incident before the people,” and urged, “Even if it is inconvenient, please vote to the end. Render judgment through your vote.”

Floor Leader Song Eon-Seok also stated in an urgent statement, “As soon as the election ends, we will immediately move to uncover the truth about this incident and will surely hold those responsible to account.” Seoul Party Chair Bae Hyun-Jin likewise held a press conference at the National Assembly, saying, “The ballot paper shortage is not a simple mistake that shakes the foundation of democracy, but evidence that the basic system of election management has collapsed,” and added, “We will pursue, to the very end, measures to prevent a recurrence and to hold those responsible to account.”

The People Power Party said that, as of 8 p.m., ballot paper shortages had occurred at a total of 17 polling stations in Seoul. These include the No. 6 polling station in Guui 3-dong, Gwangjin-gu, the No. 7 polling station in Noryangjin 1-dong, Dongjak-gu, the No. 7 polling station in Jamwon-dong, Seocho-gu, the No. 3 polling station in Banpo 4-dong, the No. 4 polling station in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, the No. 2 polling station in Gaepo 2-dong, the No. 3·7 polling stations in Garak 2-dong, Songpa-gu, the No. 4 polling station in Munjeong 1-dong, the No. 2 polling station in Munjeong 2-dong, the No. 6 polling station in Jamsil 2-dong, the No. 5 polling station in Jamsil 4-dong, the No. 2 polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, the No. 5 polling station in Wirye-dong, the No. 6 polling station in Dongchun 1-dong in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Gyeonggi, the No. 1 polling station in Songdo 5-dong, and the No. 5 polling station in Dongtan 4-dong in Hwaseong.

According to the People Power Party Seoul chapter, at the No. 2 polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, while voters were waiting for ballot papers, when the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission attempted to retrieve the ballot box, a standoff occurred between citizens and the police.