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December 22, 2005
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| The National Election Commission yesterday announced the results of its analysis of the Oct. 26 by-elections, which suggested that the governing Uri Party’s continued crushing defeats may have to do with the voting rate of differing age groups. According to the commission’s research on 530,000 voters in the four disputed constituencies, only 21 percent of people in their 20s voted in the by-elections, compared to 61 percent of those in their 60s ― a three-fold higher voting rate. The governing Uri Party, noted for its relatively liberal stance, gains most of its support from the younger generation in their 20s and 30s. The major opposition Grand National Party, which is perceived to be dyed-in-the-wool conservative, is popular with voters in their 40s and over. The Uri Party has been suffering crushing defeats to the Grand National Party in all by-elections held this year. The Oct. 26 by-election provided the governing party with another rout. The lower voting rate of the younger generation in the by-elections gave the Grand National Party a huge advantage. Teenagers and those in their 20s and 30s constituted about half of the people eligible to vote in the Oct. 26 by-election. According to the analysis, however, only about 34 percent of those who were under the age of 40 at the time actually bothered to vote. Political analysts, however, warn that this particular study result does not guarantee the Grand National Party an advantage in the 2007 presidential election. They point out that the younger generation tends to turnout in greater force when voting for a president. Kang Won-taek, a professor of political science at Soongshil University, said, “The political parties must be aware that the presidential election is a different story.” Meanwhile, the Oct. 26 by-election was the first time that 19-year-olds were eligible to vote. According to the commission’s study, however, only about 21 percent of that age group voted. by Kim Jung-ha |
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