The ruling Saenuri Party has decided to select its candidates through an open primary system starting with the general election in April 2016.

The decision was made during a general meeting of parliamentary members of the party. The party will soon begin talks with the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy as the implementation of the new nomination system requires a legal revision.

Calls have been mounting from both parties to allow more rank-and-file party members and ordinary voters to participate in the process of nominating candidates, as part of political reform to guarantee more transparent nomination process and to give more opportunities for newcomers.

“The only way to restore public trust and eradicate irregularities in political circles is to establish party democracy,” Saenuri chairman Kim Moo-sung was quoted as saying by lawmakers who attended the meeting.

“The party democracy begins with returning the nomination rights to the people,” he said.

The plan, however, is expected to continue to face resistance from within and outside the party.

The scheme has been pushed by the leaders of the rival parties, but their proposal has drawn mixed views.

Proponents say the new system would reflect a wide range of voter sentiment and help resolve feuds between party groups wanting to secure more nominations ahead of elections. Opponents, however, raised concerns that the new measure would limit parties’ election strategies and that it may protect the vested interests of incumbent lawmakers and other elected officials.

The system, though in a limited way, was tried in previous elections. But parties have so far failed to adopt the system on a full scale.

According to the rules suggested by the Saenuri Party, the open primaries will be held on the first Saturday, 60 days before the elections. Candidates seeking nomination through open primaries should also register themselves a year before the election from the current rule of 120 days in advance.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)