= NEC will push for systemic improvements including increased freedom in election campaigning and expanded right of voters to information in the future= 

The National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea announced that the 2nd Nationwide Simultaneous Elections for Heads of Cooperatives were held smoothly, with a total of 3,454 candidates running for elections for 1,344 cooperatives and 1,783,954 members participating in the vote (80.7% turnout).  The NEC also said it will analyze the problems that emerged during the election process and will decide to make improvements by collecting opinions from members.

1,783,954 from the 2,210,977 Registered Voters Voted, with a Turnout Rate of 0.5%p Higher than the 1st Nationwide Simultaneous Elections for Heads of Cooperatives at 80.7% 

By cooperatives, agricultural cooperatives had an average turnout of 82.7%, fishery cooperatives stood at 81.1% and for forestry cooperatives it was 68.1%.  The highest turnout was 100% for the Jeongchiman Fishery Association in South Jeolla Province, and the lowest turnout was the Gwangju Metropolitan City Forestry Association at 28.9%. 

There were 1,344 heads of cooperatives elected in this election (1,114 from agricultural associations, 90 fishery associations, 140 forestry associations), with 760 incumbents winning reelection.  

In one cooperative (Buan Fishery Association North Jeolla Province) two candidates finished with the joint highest number of votes, so the eldest was elected according to the regulations of the cooperative. There was also 204 positions in which there was only one registered candidate, so there was no vote. 

Information on each separate election, including the percentage of votes cast for each candidate and information on the elected candidates can be found on the NEC homepage (http://www.nec.go.kr).

NEC to Push for Systemic Improvements Including Increased Freedom in Election Campaigning and Expanded Right of Voters to Information in the Future

The NEC evaluated that this election was held fairly and accurately in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations while respecting the autonomy of the cooperatives. In addition, it was found that the elections were smoothly completed thanks to the active participation of members and the cooperation of related organizations.

However, there are still some issues that need to be solved, including bribery and some forms of election campaigning by candidates and the voters’ right to information were somewhat impaired because the law on entrusted elections regarding election campaigning is too restrictive.  

From September last year, the NEC established a system to prevent and punish illegal acts in elections for heads of cooperatives and various activities were carried out to improve the political consciousness of the members of these cooperatives and to create an atmosphere of compliance to the law.

In particular, the NEC focused its efforts on cracking down on money-based elections, for example applying a principle of zero tolerance against ''money election'' and by greatly expanding the whistleblower reward to 300 million Korean won ($264,340 USD) in an effort to encourage the reporting of crimes.

Elections for heads of cooperatives require the intense efforts of the cooperation members because there are candidates that do not feel guilt when influencing votes with money and there remains an atmosphere where bribery is to some degree acceptable. 

The NEC said that although there had been cases of money-based elections this time as well, the NEC highly appreciated cooperative members reported these activities more actively than the past, and the NEC expects a clean and healthy election culture in the next election where all the cooperative members will participate. 

The NEC said that it will identify the problems that appeared during the election process and plans to improve the system by collecting opinions from candidates, cooperative members and related organizations.​