If the final turnout hits 80 percent, it would be the highest since 1997, added the commission. In the previous 2012 presidential election, the final turnout was 75.8 percent.

A higher turnout was widely expected as last week’s two-day advance voting had already drawn over 10 million people to the polls -- or over 26 percent of the entire electorate.

Political watchers say the enthusiasm reflects the public’s heightened interest in the country’s young democracy, which is still deemed fragile, after a series of political events that culminated in the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye.

Tuesday’s election is a by-election to fill the void in the presidential office left by Park.

Early voting could also have played a part in boosting the turnout. Many voters praised the newly-adopted system, when asked by The Korea Herald.

“I had to go to work today, so I voted last week. If I didn’t do it earlier, it wouldn’t have been able to at all,” said Park Ho-se, 28, who works in Busan.

Voting was allowed at some 3,500 polling stations across the nation on Thursday and Friday. The turnout was higher than expected --- 26.06 percent. 

Early voters said due to this “brilliant system,” Election Day has become an extra holiday for them. Many said they enjoyed their day -- sleeping late, resting and hanging out with friends and family.

“I think I am going to see my friends today. It is better to vote earlier because then I have the whole free day to myself without having to do something,” said Lee Doo-bin, a 32-year-old office worker.

“A voting booth happened to be near where I work during the early voting period, so I just did it. It was very convenient and simple.”

As of 2 p.m., 59.9 percent of eligible voters had cast their ballots, including 26.06 percent of those who participated in last week’s early voting as well as the votes of overseas Koreans.

Lee Chan-ho, 42, said he felt “very lighthearted” as he had already voted. “I am enjoying my day while doing a little bit of work I should get done. I will go for a walk in the afternoon.”

A total of 42.48 million people, or 82 percent of South Korea’s population, were eligible to vote in the election. Ballots were to close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, with the results expected to take shape at around 2-3 a.m. on Wednesday, the commission said.

By Ock Hyun-ju and Bak Se-hwan (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com) (sh@heraldcorp.com)