Seoul: The preliminary overseas voter turnout for the June 3 presidential election has reached a record high of 79.5 percent, the election watchdog reported Monday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, of the estimated 1.97 million eligible overseas voters, 205,268 out of 258,254 people registered on the voter roll participated in the voting during the six-day overseas voting period that began last Tuesday, as announced by the National Election Commission. This marks the highest turnout since the introduction of absentee voting for presidential and general elections in 2012.
Overseas voting was conducted from May 20-25 at 223 polling stations across 118 countries. Previous presidential elections saw voter turnout rates of 71.1 percent in 2012, 75.3 percent in 2017, and 71.6 percent in 2022. The record turnout for general elections was recorded last year at 62.8 percent.
Sealed ballots are set to be transported to South Korea using diplomatic pouches. The verification of votes will occur in the presence of observers recommended by political parties before being dispatched by registered mail to the respective local election commissions. On Election Day, the ballots will be counted alongside domestic votes. In cases of natural disasters, war, or other unavoidable circumstances, ballot counting may take place at embassies.