The National Election Commission says voter turnout for the presidential election stood at 20-point-three percent as of 12 p.m. Wednesday.

Out of some 44-point-two million eligible voters, nearly nine million have voted since voting booths opened at six a.m. nationwide.

The current participation rate does not yet include early voting, where 36-point-93 percent of the South Korean electorate cast their votes. It will be included from the one p.m. tally.

The general public will be able to vote until six p.m., while COVID-19 patients and those under quarantine can cast their votes between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.The final turnout for the 19th presidential election held in 2017 recorded 77-point-two percent.