Understanding the election Campaign Rules

With the official election period commencing on May 12th and culminating on June 2nd, the day before the election, South Korea’s Central National Election Commission (NEC) has outlined the permissible activities for candidates and voters alike. This guide clarifies what actions are allowed under the Public Election Act,ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process.

Campaigning for Candidates: What’s Allowed?

print Materials and Facility Usage

The NEC is distributing vital campaign materials nationwide, targeting over 80,000 designated locations. This includes the dissemination of over 26 million booklet-type election guides and 25 million leaflets. Voters can access detailed information on the top candidates and their policy pledges through the Central Election Commission’s official channels. This initiative aims to provide voters with extensive information to make informed decisions.

Candidates, their spouses (or a designated representative), direct family members, and designated campaign staff can distribute candidate business cards. Accounting officers can also facilitate this distribution. This allows for direct engagement with potential voters.

Candidates are permitted to display banners within twice the area of their town, village, or “Dongsu” within their constituency. However,any party-affiliated installations must be removed by May 11th to prevent the use of party facilities for political campaigning during the election period. this ensures a level playing field for all candidates.

Public Speaking and Rallies

Candidates, electoral officers, and campaign staff are authorized to deliver speeches between 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM. Candidates can also attend indoor meetings organized by other entities. This allows for broad dissemination of their platforms and engagement with diverse audiences.

Though, the use of public address systems and rescue devices is restricted to the hours between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM. Visual displays without audio are permitted until 11:00 PM. These restrictions aim to minimize noise pollution and disruption during late hours.

Media and Online Communication

Candidates, including the political parties endorsing them, can advertise their platforms and policies through various media channels, including daily newspapers, online media homepages, television, and radio. Candidates and their designated speakers can also broadcast speeches on TV and radio. This ensures broad reach and accessibility to voters.

Candidates are allowed to send campaign-related text messages, including images, audio, and video content, via automated systems or through designated transmission agencies. However, the number of text messages sent by a candidate using automated systems is capped at eight, including the initial candidate declaration. This limitation prevents excessive messaging and potential voter fatigue.

Voter Participation: What You Can and Cannot Do

Permissible Networking Methods

Voters are encouraged to express their support for specific political parties or candidates through verbal endorsements or phone calls, except on election day. Online campaigning via the internet, email, text messages, and social media is generally permitted at all times. This empowers voters to actively participate in the democratic process.

Important Precautions

However, it is crucial to note that the creation, editing, dissemination, screening, or posting of deep fake videos for campaign purposes is strictly prohibited from 90 days before the election. Sharing or forwarding articles containing slanderous or factually incorrect information about candidates on social media is also forbidden.Voters must exercise caution and verify information before sharing it online to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Misinformation can significantly impact voter perception and potentially sway election outcomes.It is the responsibility of every citizen to ensure the information they share is accurate and unbiased.
– Dr. Anya Sharma, Media ethics Expert

During the campaign period, voters can produce or purchase campaign props, with dimensions limited to 25 cm in length, width, and height, at their own expense.They can also volunteer for a candidate’s campaign. However, it is illegal to demand or receive any form of compensation, including allowances or reimbursements, for volunteering. This ensures that participation is driven by genuine support and not financial incentives.

Ensuring a Fair and Clean Election

The Central NEC is committed to upholding the law to ensure a fair and clean election. Candidates are encouraged to engage in policy-driven competition, and voters are urged to carefully consider the candidates’ pledges and qualifications before casting their votes. By working together, South Korea can ensure a democratic process that reflects the will of the people.