NEC International Activities in 2018 – What’s Coming Up!

2017 is now over, and after a busy year that included an early presidential election the NEC is now preparing for another important year for election management and for our international activities. On June 13 this year the 7^th nationwide simultaneous local elections will be held and a number of our major international events will be scheduled around them, including our 2018 Election Visitor Program and the 2018 Seoul International Forum on Elections. So here is what is coming up in 2018!

2017 Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections 

7^th nationwide simultaneous local elections are scheduled for June 13, with thousands of separate elections taking placing around the country on the same day.  Voters will take to the ballot to elect a minimum of seven elected positions (there may be more in the case of additional re or by-elections):

·         Metropolitan City or Provincial Superintendent of Education

·         Mayor or Governor

·         Constituency Members of a Metropolitan City or Provincial Council

·         Proportional Representation Members of a Metropolitan City or Provincial Council

·         Head of a Local Government

·         Constituency Members of a Local Government

·         Proportional Representation Members of a Local Government

Local elections in Korea have thousands of candidates and present a tough administrative challenge. The four-tiers of the Election Commission have to work together to undertake this large-scale operation. In terms of international activities, the NEC will host our Election Visitor Program and the 2018 Seoul International Forum on Elections alongside the election to give participants an opportunity to take as much as possible away from these major elections.

International Election Visitor Program (EVP)

Vice Chairperson Moon Sang-boo Speaks
during the 2017 EVP Program

Unlike traditional election observations, the NEC’s International Election Visitor Program focuses on exchanging election knowledge and experience between the NEC and participants, and among the participants themselves. This year our EVP will be held around the June 13 local elections.

The program will last for around a week, allowing participants to be briefed before voting and to observe both early voting and the voting process. In addition, the participants will also take part in a post-election debriefing in which they share their views on what they have seen during the program, opinions and views on election management and their thoughts on how election processes can be improved and developed.

The NEC is expecting to provide funding and support for participants, allowing election officials from around the world to attend and ensuring a diverse range of views on election management. The number of participants are yet to be confirmed, but more information will be made available in the near future through email to our partners and on our official website.

Seoul International Forum on Elections (SIFE)

2017 SIFE Participants

SIFE is held annually and this year it will be held in June alongside local elections and our EVP program. The goal will be for established experts in the field to come together to discuss issues related to election management, share ideas and debate how to make elections around the world cleaner, fairer and more inclusive.

The NEC plans to invite some of the most prominent organizations and experts in the field of elections, including professionals from other election management bodies, to speak at the forum in line with its commitment to international cooperation. SIFE has been establishing itself as an important part of the election management community calendar, with 100 participants from around the world taking part in 2017, and we hope we can invite another group of world-renowned experts this year.

The forum will be a one-day event, with the day split into topics chosen by the NEC. These topics will be chosen according to the trends of election management and with the input of the various departments and affiliated organizations of the NEC. The location and date for 2018 has yet to be confirmed, but keep checking our website or Facebook for further details in the future.

Seminar for the Improvement of Election Laws and Systems

2015 Law Seminar Participants Inspect Equipment

The Seminar for the Improvement of Election Laws and Systems is held annually together with KOICA in the Autumn and aims to bring together election officials from various countries to debate and discuss topics related to the election law and systems and each country. Through this discussion, the participants can review other countries’ election systems and receive feedback back on their own systems to help facilitate mutual improvement.

Once again this year’s program plans to run for around a week and will involve a number of sessions on major topics related to elections. Each delegation will make presentations on the laws and systems related to that topic and discussions will follow.

Election Observations and International Conferences 2018

The NEC also plans to take part in major international conferences and election observations this year to continue our active international activities and further build our relationships with our partners around the world. Conferences and observations further develop the capabilities of our staff through the opportunity to experience different electoral systems and election management methods.

For more information on our international activities this year then contact us on necvote@gmail.com and make sure to keep up to date with our Facebook and website!