501.BB Korea/3–2548: Telegram
The Consul General at Seoul (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
185. Following is text UN press release number 49:
“Observation of elections.
At its 27th meeting, the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea adopted the report of its ad hoc sub-committee on methods of observation of elections, which include, inter alia, ‘the examining of complaints concerning the conduct of the election in any area.’ The commission decided (subject to the terms of its resolution adopted at the 22nd meeting, 12th March 1948), to observe the elections (a) centrally, by permanent liaison with the national election committee, and (b) in the provinces, through field observer groups.
The Commission decided further that an ‘appropriate liaison be established between the commissions own agencies of observation and those of the United States authorities’.
The following important successive stages of the elections will be under observation:
- (a)
- The period of registration of voters (30 March–April 8); (b) the period during which poll registers may be examined (14–20 April), appeals made, and candidates registered; (c) polling day; (d) the post election period.
The Commission decided to create a ‘main committee’, the functions of which are:
- (a)
- maintenance of permanent liaison with the national election committee in Seoul; (b) general observation of the work of the election committees; (c) the receiving and examination of complaints and general information concerning the conduct of the elections; (d) the analysis of reports received from the Commission observer groups; (e) the obtaining analyzing of information concerning attitudes of Koreans towards participation in the elections; (f) the examining of and reporting to the commission on conditions relating to a free atmosphere for the holding of elections; (g) the planning and coordination of the activities of the field observer groups in accordance with the general directions of the commission.
The main committee is composed of members of each delegation represented on the Commission. The Commission created ‘field observer groups’ which will act according to a coordinated plan. These groups may number three and will be composed of representatives, together with appropriate staff.”