SEOUL, 9 March: Around 44 million of the South Korean population voted in the presidential elections on Wednesday after days of campaigning which have spurred out numerous controversies between prominent figures.
Some of the individuals contesting for the presidency include ruling party candidate Lee Jae Myung who promised for improved livelihoods of South Koreans whereas his main opposition rival Yoon Suk Yeol championing a fairer society.
The race for the presidency between the two has been markedly close by the media and political experts. Surveys conducted before the blackout on all nationwide polls last week showed the two running neck and neck after a series of campaigns.
Interests amongst voters for this election were clearly unprecedented as the country recorded more than 16 million out of the total number of registered voters casting their ballots on Friday and Saturday for early voting. The turnout marked the highest since the implementation of early voting in 2014.
Amidst the increase of Covid-19 cases in the country, the decision to hold polling sessions was not without controversy after the current governance allowed patients to leave quarantine to vote. The lack of preparations saw the votes of sick patients collected in plastic bags and boxes during early voting.
On Wednesday, the government withheld the problem by announcing that virus patients and those in quarantine are allowed to vote from 6 pm to 7.30 pm after regular voting closes. The National Election Commission has also revised regulations to allow them to put their votes directly into ballot boxes.
Major TV stations are scheduled to unveil the results of joint exit polls at 7.30 pm, though the announcement could be pushed back if the voting of COVID-19 patients and those in quarantine does not close as scheduled.
The winner of the election will face mounting challenges including deepening inequality and surging housing prices that have strained Asia’s fourth-largest economy. A five-year term for the elected candidate is set to start on May 10. – TVS
