National Election Commission of South Korea

The National Election Commission (; NEC) is independent constitutional institution in South Korea, established to manage free and fair elections, national referendums and other administrative affairs concerning political parties and funds. The agency was established in accordance with Article 114 of the Constitution of South Korea. The NEC has equal status as highest constitutional institution as National Assembly, the Executive Ministries, the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. This highly independent status of NEC reflects national will to overcome past histories such as election rigging of South Korea in 1960. Organization The Election Commission (NEC) has a four-stage organizational structure, consisting of the National Election Commission, 17 Si(metropolitan city)/Do(province) Election Commissions, 250 Gu(district or ward)/Si(city)/Gun(county) Election Commissions and 3,481 Eup/Myeon/Dong(township) Election Commissions. The term of office of the members of the commission shall be six years. No member of the commission shall be expelled from office except by impeachment or a sentence of imprisonment without prison labor or heavier punishment. The members of the commission shall not join political parties, nor shall they participate in political activities. Overseas Election Commission shall be operated for Korean citizens in overseas where embassies and consulate-generals located, 180 days before and until 30 days after each presidential election and the National Assembly elections conducted following the termination of office.