ID :
24801
Thu, 10/16/2008 - 10:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/24801
The shortlink copeid
(EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Oct. 16)
Overseas voting
The National Election Commission yesterday submitted its views to the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to pass a bill guaranteeing the political participation of 2.4 million Koreans residing overseas.
According to the latest opinion, all the 2.4 million Koreans living abroad over
the legal voting age of 19, including short-term visitors, are qualified to
participate in presidential and general elections.
In June 2007, the country???s highest court ruled that it is unconstitutional to
restrict the political participation of Koreans living overseas.
The court also ruled that barring overseas short-term sojourners such as students
and businessmen from absentee voting is unconstitutional.
???We can???t restrict voting rights, even though overseas Koreans don???t pay
taxes or complete their military service,??? the court said. It added that the
current election law will stay in place until the end of this year because the
government needs time to prepare for the changes and ensure that there isn???t
any confusion.
However, lawmakers have been dragging their heels since then. Few people had
really given the issue much thought and most of their energy went into last
December???s presidential election as well as the general elections in April this
year.
Even though the National Assembly said a meeting will be arranged as soon as
possible to discuss the issue, it is difficult to say how things will turn out.
But lawmakers should note that they are pressed for time and that everyone is
going to have a different view.
The ruling and the opposition parties know that 2.4 million voters will have the
clout to decide the outcome of the next elections.
The government should also complete several tough assignments: setting up
standard procedures for parties to follow if they campaign overseas and laying
down plans to prevent illegal electioneering.
However, the bigger problem will come should the revision fail.
If the National Assembly does not revise the election laws by the deadline, the
law will be automatically invalid, making it impossible for the April
by-elections to go ahead.
The highest court has already offered guidelines. Now, the ruling party and the
opposition should try their best to reach a mutual agreement without considering
personal interests.
(END)
The National Election Commission yesterday submitted its views to the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to pass a bill guaranteeing the political participation of 2.4 million Koreans residing overseas.
According to the latest opinion, all the 2.4 million Koreans living abroad over
the legal voting age of 19, including short-term visitors, are qualified to
participate in presidential and general elections.
In June 2007, the country???s highest court ruled that it is unconstitutional to
restrict the political participation of Koreans living overseas.
The court also ruled that barring overseas short-term sojourners such as students
and businessmen from absentee voting is unconstitutional.
???We can???t restrict voting rights, even though overseas Koreans don???t pay
taxes or complete their military service,??? the court said. It added that the
current election law will stay in place until the end of this year because the
government needs time to prepare for the changes and ensure that there isn???t
any confusion.
However, lawmakers have been dragging their heels since then. Few people had
really given the issue much thought and most of their energy went into last
December???s presidential election as well as the general elections in April this
year.
Even though the National Assembly said a meeting will be arranged as soon as
possible to discuss the issue, it is difficult to say how things will turn out.
But lawmakers should note that they are pressed for time and that everyone is
going to have a different view.
The ruling and the opposition parties know that 2.4 million voters will have the
clout to decide the outcome of the next elections.
The government should also complete several tough assignments: setting up
standard procedures for parties to follow if they campaign overseas and laying
down plans to prevent illegal electioneering.
However, the bigger problem will come should the revision fail.
If the National Assembly does not revise the election laws by the deadline, the
law will be automatically invalid, making it impossible for the April
by-elections to go ahead.
The highest court has already offered guidelines. Now, the ruling party and the
opposition should try their best to reach a mutual agreement without considering
personal interests.
(END)
