National Election Commission held a ‘Joint Meeting with Relevant Agencies’ on February 5 to prepare for overseas voting during the 20th National Assembly Elections, which are due to be held in 2016.

Ten governmental bodies* related with electoral affairs gathered for the first time in 2009 to make up the Joint Meeting for the government-wide preparation and fair management of overseas voting, which served as a stepping stone towards the successful management of overseas voting during the 18th Presidential Election and the 19th National Assembly Elections in 2012.

The participants discussed work plans and current issues in 2015 regarding overseas voting. The main topics were as follows: establishing a management system for fair overseas voting; improving overseas voters’ access; publicizing elections in a voter-oriented way; and reinforcing the prevention and crack-down on any violations of election law.

They agreed that the competent bodies should closely cooperate to improve the electoral system to enhance voters’ convenience so that no one fails to cast their vote due to an inadequate system or law. They also concurred that they should work together to stabilize the election management system and secure fairness in the election, despite the diverse and complicated systems of post, traffic, and communication in each country.

The election authority is planning to hold a joint simulation test in July with all the related organizations, both domestic and abroad, such as local authorities and diplomatic offices. The trial voting will be aimed at enhancing the competence of officials of the participating agencies and fixing any defects by examining the preparation status of overseas voting for the 20th National Assembly Elections.

* The National Election Commission, the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the National Police Agency and the Korea Post.