SEOUL – Protests continued for the fifth day outside a vote-counting facility in Seoul on Tuesday, as demonstrators demanded a re-run of last week's local elections due to ballot shortages at some polling stations. According to an unofficial police estimate, approximately 200 protesters gathered around the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Songpa Ward as of 10 a.m. This marked a sharp decline from the roughly 2,000 protesters present on Monday afternoon.
Weekend Protests Draw Tens of Thousands
Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people had amassed at the stadium to protest the ballot shortages and prevent election officials from removing ballot boxes. The National Election Commission (NEC) reported that a lack of ballot papers temporarily suspended voting at 26 polling stations nationwide on Wednesday. While earlier protests largely focused on demanding a new election, Tuesday's crowd included individuals claiming electoral fraud, holding signs that read, “Stop the steal.”
Legal Pathways for Election Challenge
Under South Korean election law, a petition must be submitted to the election watchdog to invalidate a local election and call for a new one. If the watchdog rejects the petition, a lawsuit can be filed in court to challenge the decision. The minor New Reform Party has announced its intention to file a petition seeking to partially invalidate the election results.
Impact on Sports Organizations
The ongoing protest has disrupted operations of sports organizations based at the stadium, including the Korea Handball Association and the Korea Underwater Association, which have been unable to function normally due to the blockade.
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