Seoul: The National Election Commission's (NEC) fact-finding committee investigating ballot shortages during the recent local elections called for a criminal probe into the commission's former chief Friday, saying the management of the elections was marked by a "total failure."

According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho Hyun-wook, chairperson of the committee, made the announcement during a briefing at the NEC headquarters, as the panel wrapped up a weeklong investigation conducted to determine the cause of the ballot shortages. The committee recommended that former NEC Chairman Roh Tae-ak, who stepped down from his post over the debacle, be referred for criminal investigation. It also stressed that the NEC requires a sweeping overhaul tantamount to dismantling the organization.

The committee, launched on June 10, consisted of six members recommended by civic organizations, media, legal, and academic communities.