The NEC marked the 48^th anniversary of its foundation on January 21, 2011. The Constitution of the Second Republic of Korea provided that an election management body should be independent from the executive branch, as a response to the controversy over vote rigging in the 1960 Presidential election. And the Constitution of the Third Republic of Korea determined to establish ‘the National Election Commission’. It led to the promulgation of the Election Commission Act, bringing about the establishment of the National Election Commission on January 21, 1963.

In its early days, the responsibility of the NEC was limited to management of election affairs. The NEC has begun to take broader responsibilities in earnest since 1989. Included are the activities for fair and transparent election, especially facilitated by robust controlling and oversight on illegal election campaigning. In addition, the responsibilities for fair and transparent election have become strengthened as more and more general elections and local elections have occurred, with the local autonomy system reinstated in 1990.  

As Korea has matured into a full-fledged democracy, the number of elections has risen, increasing the types of elections managed by the NEC. The NEC has managed local elections, resident referendum, resident recall vote, elections for heads of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cooperatives, elections for the president of National universities, intra-party elections of political parties, and elections for the executive members of Housing Renovation Project Associations, in addition to the Presidential, National Assembly members election, and national referendums.

Furthermore, Korean citizens will be able to vote from abroad, starting from the 19^th National Assembly and the 18^th Presidential elections slated for 2012. To manage overseas voting, the NEC will establish the Overseas Voting Commissions at 166 legations around the world, beginning on October 14.

The NEC will manage overseas voting in such a way as to uphold freedom and transparency, faithfully meeting its obligation laid down by the Constitution. Also, it will spare no effort in studying various election systems and management methods to prepare for the unification of two Koreas. As such, the NEC will continue to play an important role in advancing politics and democracy of Korea.