Seoul: The National Assembly has commenced formal procedures to consider a parliamentary investigation into the reported ballot shortages during last week's local elections. Both the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) submitted requests for the probe, which were reported in a plenary session.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the head of the Proceedings Division of the National Assembly Secretariat noted that the requests were submitted separately by the DP and the PPP, with lawmakers from each party sponsoring their respective proposals. This development marks the initial step towards forming a special parliamentary committee to investigate allegations of mismanagement by the National Election Commission during the elections.

Negotiations are expected regarding the establishment of the committee, as the DP and PPP have differing proposals concerning the scope of the probe and the number of seats each party should hold on the committee. The PPP has advocated for a separate special counsel probe alongside the parliamentary investigation, whereas the DP believes such a move should be considered following the parliamentary probe.

During a meeting chaired by National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik, both parties agreed on the need to hold a plenary session as soon as next week to adopt a plan for the parliamentary investigation, as reported by officials. In a separate meeting, PPP's new floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig discussed the necessity of a special counsel probe with Hong Ik-pyo, the presidential secretary for political affairs. Hong indicated that the presidential office is open to a special counsel investigation if both parties reach a consensus, according to PPP spokesperson Choi Soo-jin.

Ballot shortages were reported at over a dozen polling stations in Seoul during the local elections last Wednesday, causing temporary disruptions in voting and leading to protests from individuals alleging election fraud.