Assembly by-elections close with turnout higher than expected

SEOUL, Oct. 28 (Yonhap) -- The polls in the parliamentary by-elections closed at 8 p.m. Wednesday with the final voter turnout rate estimated to be in the high 30-percent range.

Initial data provided by the National Election Commission said nearly 36 percent,
or 307,590 out of 864,860 eligible voters, cast their ballots as of 7 p.m.
Up for grabs in the parliamentary by-elections were five National Assembly seats
previously held by four ruling Grand National Party lawmakers and a former
legislator of the main opposition Democratic Party. The seats were vacated after
their holders had been convicted of election law violations.
The election watchdog earlier predicted the turnout rate would be in the mid
30-percent range, as Assembly by-elections have had an average turnout of 34.9
percent in the past five years.
Polling usually begins at 6 a.m. and lasts 12 hours in most elections here, but
by-elections get an extra two hours because they are usually held while people
work on weekdays.
This week's by-elections saw one of the most heated campaigns in recent years as
the outcome will likely be likened to a vote of confidence for President Lee
Myung-bak, who begins the third year of his single five-year term next year, and
his ruling party. The results will also be considered a barometer of public
sentiment ahead of local elections to be held in June.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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