hankyoreh

An image from the website of a “citizens’ voting lotto” (http://voteforkorea.org) to boost turnout ahead of the May 9 presidential election.

“The most effective way of increasing voter turnout in South Korea would be through a ‘voters’ lotto,’ where voters are issued given a certificate with a serial number printed on it for a draw to be held later that evening.”

The “voters’ lotto” approach suggested by writer Rhyu Si-min during an appearance on the JTBC program “Ssulzun” on Apr. 7 of last year has now become a reality with startup developers’ launch of a “citizens’ voting lotto” (http://voteforkorea.org) to boost turnout ahead of the May 9 presidential election.

On its website, the developers described the lotto as a “campaign to encourage voting,” before going on to suggest “holding a drawing for a voting encouragement fund of up to 5 million won [US$4,390] for those who submit a photograph proving they voted.” The results will become known around 9 pm on voting day, which falls on May 9. The draw is to be held via live Facebook broadcast.

Voters wishing to take part are to submit their email address and a photo of the voting stamp on the back of their hand after casting their ballots any time between Apr. 25, when overseas voting begins, and election day on May 9. Afterwards, they can visit the lotto page to undergo KakaoTalk identity confirmation and register their photograph and mobile phone number. Photographs that allude to specific candidates or include images of the ballot itself will be disqualified from the drawing.

The prize money comes from a fund made up of contributions by members of the public who support the voter lotto’s goal.

“After service, domain purchasing, and other maintenance costs are taken out, the entire remaining total is to be used for the prize,” the developers said.

The developers said the idea was approved by the National Election Commission (NEC) after an inquiry into laws related to political activity.

“We received the response that a citizens’ voting lotto can be seen as a voting encouragement service and is therefore not in violation of election law,’” they said.

In a telephone interview with the Hankyoreh, an NEC source explained, “Since it involves giving prize money to voters without supporting a particular candidate, there shouldn’t be any issue.”

By Park Soo-jin, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]