South Korean police raid election commission over ballot shortages

South Korean police raided the National Election Commission (NEC) and seven of its local offices on Thursday as part of an investigation into ballot shortages that disrupted voting at 26 polling stations during last week's local elections. More than 100 investigators searched locations including the commission's headquarters in Gwacheon and affected offices in Seoul, according to Yonhap News Agency. Authorities are investigating possible violations of election law and dereliction of duty by officials.

Former chairman named as suspect

Former NEC Chairman Rho Tae-ak, who resigned over the incident, is reportedly listed as a suspect in the search and seizure warrant, police said. "Through today's search and seizure, (we) are focusing on securing evidence to determine the material truth of the case, including identifying the cause of the infringement to the people's political rights," the police said. Investigators are working to establish how the shortage occurred and whether negligence contributed to the disruption of voting rights.

Protests and political fallout

The ballot shortage has sparked days of protests in Seoul's Songpa Ward, with demonstrators demanding a re-run of the election, according to local reports. President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating fell sharply to 57% in a poll released Thursday, dropping 9 percentage points from three weeks earlier. The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the administration's handling of electoral logistics and raised questions about the integrity of the democratic process.