(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Ju-hong = The National Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives announced that it has opened the Election Management Office earlier than usual to enhance the fairness and transparency of the 4th simultaneous cooperative leader election scheduled for March 2027. The Election Management Office will officially begin operations on January 2 of next year. Gang Ho-dong, President of the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, stated at the unveiling ceremony of the Election Management Office sign in Seoul's Jung-gu district, "We will innovatively supplement the organization, systems, and regulations to achieve a clean and fair election." The National Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives plans to operate the Election Management Office until the end of 2027 to carry out tasks such as cooperation with related agencies for the promotion of fair elections, education and publicity, guidance and post-election management of fair elections. Furthermore, the federation intends to strengthen the management system for fair elections by introducing a "one-strike-out rule" for those providing money or favors, operating a consultation and reporting center for unfair elections, and applying a no-tolerance policy to agricultural and livestock cooperatives and members found to have engaged in unfair elections. Starting from January next year, the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives will also launch a reform committee centered on external members from academia and farmer organizations to analyze the problems of the federation and examine improvement plans for the election systems of regional agricultural and livestock cooperative leaders and officials. juhong@yna.co.kr