The National Election Commission said overall turnout was at 62.6%, the highest since 60.6% in the 2004 general election. Wednesday’s voting, which comes amid a slowing virus caseload in South Korea, draws a contrast with an upended election cycle in the US, where some states have pushed back presidential primaries or switched to voting by mail. Officials texted eligible voters in self-quarantine before the vote and about 13,000 affirmed they wanted to participate. Those without fever or respiratory symptoms were given permission to leave their homes so they could cast their ballots after 6pm, when polling stations close for other voters. South Korea has confirmed more than 10,590 coronavirus cases, including 225 deaths, with the number of new infections decreasing in recent weeks.

Source: Irish Independent April 15, 2020 02:39 UTC