As of 6 PM on election day, the voter turnout for the 21st presidential election stands at 76.1%. This marks a 1 percentage point decrease from the final turnout of the previous 20th presidential election, which was 77.1%. However, there’s still hope that the turnout may exceed the figures of 1997’s 15th presidential election, which recorded a turnout of 80%.
According to the National Election Commission, the current turnout rate is cumulative, combining figures from early voting conducted on the 29th and 30th of last month. So far, out of 44,391,871 eligible voters, 33,768,137 have cast their ballots. Since 6 AM today, approximately 18,058,401 individuals have participated in the voting process.
Regionally, Jeollanam-do boasts the highest turnout rate at 81.8%, while Jeju has the lowest at 71.9%. Other notable turnout figures include Seoul at 76.4%, Busan at 74.4%, and Gyeonggi-do at 76.1%. The data is gathered every hour and made available on the commission’s official website.
As the voting continues until 8 PM, there remains an opportunity for the numbers to shift. Voters are reminded to bring identification, such as a resident registration card, passport, or driver’s license, as mobile ID images are not acceptable for in-person voting.
The final turnout will be eagerly anticipated, as voter engagement remains a crucial element of a healthy democracy, and high turnout may reflect a strong public interest in the electoral process.