How is the council established?

Under Article 30 of the Local Autonomy Act, local councils are established as legislative bodies of local governments. In accordance with the Public Official Election Act, new councils are elected every four years through local elections.

Eligibility

Residents 25 years of age or older who have been registered residents of the relevant local government area for at least 60 consecutive days prior to election day are eligible to run for office. (However, individuals disqualified from candidacy under the law are excluded.)

Determination of Electoral Districts

The minimum number of council members for a city or county council is seven. The number of proportional representation members shall be 10% of the total number of council members.
Each electoral district shall elect no fewer than two and no more than four members. The names and number of local constituencies are determined by provincial ordinances.

Election Day

Elections are held on the first Wednesday following the 30th day before the expiration of the members’ term of office.

Election Period

The election campaign period lasts 14 days, starting the day after candidate registration closes and continuing until election day.

Candidate Nomination

• Party Nomination: Political parties may nominate their members as candidates within the number of seats available in each constituency.
• Independent Candidates: Must obtain the signatures of at least 50 and no more than 100 eligible voters (for county council elections).

Candidate Registration

Registration is conducted through the Election Commission of the relevant electoral district.

Election Campaign

• Campaign activities may take place from the end of the candidate registration period until the day before the election.
• Permitted campaign methods include election brochures, small printed materials, interviews, debates, and discussion forums, among others.

Voter Eligibility

Eligible voters are:
Residents aged 19 or older who are registered in the resident registration list of the local government as of the reference date for the electoral register; and Foreign residents who have held permanent resident status for at least three years and are listed in the local government’s register of foreign residents.

Vote Counting and Determination of Elected Members

Election Commission (The candidate who receives the highest number of valid votes within each constituency is elected. If two or more candidates receive the same highest number of votes, the older candidate is declared elected.)

Council Member Registration

Council Secretariat

First Assembly Session

Convened by the Director of the Council Secretariat.

Opening Ceremony (Organization of the Council)

Election of the chairperson and vice chairperson