Election watchdog raided again over alleged data manipulation

Seoul, August 7 - In an ongoing probe into potential data manipulation during the June 3 local elections, authorities conducted a fresh raid on the National Election Commission (NEC) headquarters in Gwacheon on Friday. Collaborating with a prosecution-police task force, investigators targeted NEC and other local election commissions across Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and North Chungcheong Province.

The team is probing allegations that NEC staff manipulated computer system statistics, concealing errors in voter turnout rates by not reporting them to superiors. Under the existing system, NEC releases hourly voter turnout statistics, derived from figures submitted by poll workers at each station. Suspicions arise that certain election workers circumvented the authorization process and adjusted the figures at NEC officials' behest.

This is the second raid on the NEC linked to data manipulation allegations; the prior search occurred on July 23. The latest operation is part of a broader investigation into ballot shortages on election day, leading some voters to turn back without casting their ballots. Preliminary findings have implicated data manipulation in Seoul's Gangnam and Seocho districts, as well as Gimpo and Uiwang in Gyeonggi Province.

However, the investigation is anticipated to expand as evidence of similar misconduct emerges in other regions.