Election Chief Resigns as Seoul Protests Erupt Over Ballot Shortage

Thousands of demonstrators converged on the SK Olympic Handball Stadium in Seoul this Friday, fueled by fury over widespread ballot paper shortages that crippled local elections. The crowd, estimated at 6,000 strong, transformed the vote-counting center into a flashpoint for demands for an immediate electoral re-run.

The unrest follows reports of systemic disruptions during Wednesday’s polling for mayors and local officials. Protesters brandished placards and chanted slogans throughout the night, decrying the logistical failures as a fundamental breach of their democratic rights. The atmosphere remained tense as police monitored the massive gathering near the counting site.

National Election Commission head Roh Tae-ak stepped down shortly after the outcry, accepting full responsibility for the administrative collapse. The shortage, compounded by significant turnout miscalculations, effectively paralyzed multiple polling stations. An independent inquiry into the mismanagement is now underway to determine how the electoral process failed so completely.