CEMC's Troubles in Monitoring CAGE

The Central Management Election Committee (CEMC) and the Citizens'Alliance for the 2000 General Election (CAGE) are likely on a collision course.

CEMC on April 2, under its chairman Lee Yong-hun, distributed official documents to CAGE, the Fair Election Commission, the Citizens's Coaliton of Economic Justice, and 13 other organizations. These documents, which are kept online, elaborated on what is legal and illegal election campaigning. Last weekend the ranking officials of CEMC met with CAGE leadership to ask for restraint in its campaigning.

However, when CAGE announced it will kick off a street campaign and signature movement after announcing its list of rejected candidates, the CEMC was distressed. This is because CAGE's rejection campaign cleary goes against the existing election code.

CEMC must respond appropriately to CAGE's actions because if it overlooks intentional violations of the Election Laws its basic duty to monitor the election process will be threatened.

CEMC so far has fulfilled its duty to take stern action against all illegal acts. It must continue this course and give any necessary orders to restrain any unpermitted conduct by CAGE even if this inculdes the use of police force.

Depite these countermeasures CEMC still has alot to worry about. It would face heavy public criticism if the public viewed its actions as a 'crack down on civic groups, while leaving real illegal electioneering unpunished.'

by Park Sng-hee