This composite photo, taken Tuesday, shows Rep. Cheon Jun-ho (L), deputy floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party, and Rep. Kim Seung-soo, deputy floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, prior to their talks at the National Assembly in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap
The rival parties agreed Tuesday to conduct a 45-day parliamentary investigation into the National Election Commission (NEC) over ballot shortages reported during the recent local elections, party officials said.
In a meeting of their deputy floor leaders at the National Assembly, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) agreed to put the plan to a vote at a parliamentary plenary session on Thursday.
"We agreed to launch the parliamentary probe to swiftly uncover the truth behind the alleged infringement of voting rights of the citizens caused by the ballot shortages and to lay the groundwork for sweeping reforms of the NEC," Rep. Cheon Jun-ho of the DP told reporters after the meeting.
According to officials from both parties, the special parliamentary committee will be chaired by the PPP and comprise 18 members -- nine from the ruling party, seven from the PPP and two from non-negotiating parties.
