From money envelopes to proxy voting… How shallow are the voters? [사설]

News 1

As the main voting day of the June 1 local election approaches, illegal cases such as the distribution of money are pouring in all over the country. Even a chief who deceived the villagers and voted for a residence instead appeared. The number of voters is small, so there is a high probability that the party will be divided by a narrow margin, and this is happening in regions with a relatively large number of elderly people.

In Damyang, Jeollanam-do, an election campaigner for a mayoral candidate was arrested by the police while carrying 12.25 million won in cash in a van. It is said that 40 envelopes containing 150,000 won each and other envelopes with millions of won were found in his vehicle. In Jangsu, Jeollabuk-do, it was discovered that two volunteers for the candidates for the county government were investigating the case of scattering money or storing large amounts of cash. In Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province, a report was received that an official from an election campaign for a candidate for a county councilor handed an envelope of 200,000 to 300,000 won in request for support.

Among them, the case of Gunwi County in North Gyeongsang Province is pitiful. The brother-in-law of a mayoral candidate was arrested on charges of giving money to voters while appealing for support, and a village head is being investigated for proxy voting. About five elderly people in their 80s or older who are physically disabled were randomly registered as subjects to vote for residence, and then they took away the ballot papers delivered to them and voted instead. It is said that the residents went to vote in advance and confirmed the fact of proxy voting. I can’t help but suspect that someone may have ordered this chapter. It is not uncommon for cases of disguised transfers in which the population increases rapidly during elections.

As the character of the presidential election was intensified, there were many evaluations that it was a local election in which the provinces were not visible. While all the nerves are focused on the central political flow, I am concerned that all kinds of illegal evasion of the law is being carried out in various parts of the province. The cases of bribery and proxy voting that have been revealed to the extent that it is done openly like this are highly likely to be the tip of the iceberg.

There is one day left for the main poll. If the game is decided by 1 or 2 percentage points, the black hand can move secretly at the last minute. This is because it is closely intertwined with blood ties, delayed academic ties, etc. in each group, which can lead to a misjudgment that the effect of dispersing money is large. If you receive money or entertainment, you can be fined up to 30 million won. It is necessary to recall the 2008 incident in Cheongdo County, North Gyeongsang Province, when regarding 1,500 residents were arrested for being caught up in the spread of money. Voters must be awake.

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