The National Election Commission this week submitted draft revisions to laws on elections and political activities to the National Assembly. Its proposals are meant to reflect changing conditions in efforts to reform politics.

Serious consideration needs to be given to some proposed measures, such as increasing the number of lawmakers elected through the proportional representation system and obliging presidential candidates to return campaign funds offered from state coffers if they withdraw from an election race.

The commission, however, seems to be backpedaling on political reform by proposing to allow political parties to establish district chapters and collect more political funds from individuals and corporations.

It should have paid more heed to concerns that the revival of the district chapter system, which was repealed in 2004, would increase political costs and concentrate regional political power in the hands of incumbent lawmakers.

Advocates say the measure would help galvanize political participation and collect opinions from constituents. But the problems that resulted in the abolition of the system a decade ago are likely to resurface if it is put into practice again. Any deliberation on reviving district chapters should be made on condition that incumbent lawmakers should not be allowed to concurrently serve as their heads and the central organizations of main parties should be reduced.

The commission’s proposal to increase political funding also needs to be reconsidered. There seems to be no urgent reason for raising the limit on the annual amount of funds that a lawmaker’s support group is allowed to collect from individuals, which is set at 150 million won ($136,000) in nonelection years and 300 million won in election years. What is particularly worrisome is the measure that would permit corporations and other organizations to make political donations through the commission. It would add to the burden on businesses on one hand and increase their influence in politics on the other.

The proposals made by the election commission will be discussed at a special parliamentary committee on political reform to be set up soon. What concerns the public is the likelihood that political parties may agree to accept only those recommendations that serve their interests and turn a blind eye to suggestions that would be conducive to reforming politics to meet voter demands.

The election commission may need to reexamine its proposals. Voter groups should be more attentive to prevent political reform work from being swayed by partisan interests.