Taiwan Election Committee defends Recall process Amid Forgery Allegations
Taipei – The Central Election Committee (CEC) in Taiwan is defending its handling of recent recall efforts targeting 24 kuomintang legislators and Hsinchu Mayor Gao Hongan,following allegations of document forgery. the controversy stems from the practice of recall supporters signing both the initial proposal and subsequent endorsement stages, which the Kuomintang (KMT) claims constitutes falsification. The CEC insists that such repeated signatures are a standard part of the recall process and do not equate to forgery.
Recall Strategy Explained: Why Repeated Signatures Are Used
The groups initiating the recall efforts have openly stated that they encourage supporters to sign both the first and second stages of the process. The reason, they explain, is that the threshold for the first stage (the revocation proposal) is only 1% of the total number of electors in the constituency. To ensure enough valid signatures are collected for the second stage (the actual recall vote), which requires 10% of electors, organizers ask supporters to sign both forms. The Election committee then reviews and eliminates any duplicates. This strategy aims to compensate for potential invalidations due to incomplete facts or sloppy handwriting.
Did You Know? The recall process in Taiwan involves two stages: a proposal stage requiring 1% of eligible voters’ signatures and an endorsement stage needing 10%.
Legal Experts Weigh In: Repeated Signing vs. Forgery
Lawyer Huang Diying addressed the KMT’s claims that 150,000 co-signers involved in the recall efforts were involved in forgery. Huang clarified that under article 81 of the Election and Removal Act, a person cannot be both a proposer and a co-signer for the *same* stage of the recall. However, signing both the first-level proposal and the second-level endorsement simply means the second-level signature is not counted. This,Huang argues,is fundamentally different from forging signatures,such as using the names of deceased individuals,which *is* illegal.Huang emphasized that a living person has the “right to make documents,” while a deceased person dose not.
Pro Tip: Familiarize yourself with the Election and Removal Act to understand the legal nuances of recall procedures in Taiwan.
Election Committee’s Stance: “Removal According to Law”
The Election Committee issued a press release stating that any instances of death or forgery discovered *before* the signing of a proposal or endorsement are reported according to the Criminal Procedure Law. Though, “repeated signings” are explicitly “excluded according to law” and do not constitute forgery. This policy, the CEC maintains, has been consistently applied.
Breakdown of Death and Forgery Cases in Recent Recall Attempts
According to data from the Election Association,several recall cases have involved instances of “death signing” (using the names of deceased individuals) and “forged love affairs” (presumably,falsifying relationships to meet signature requirements). The following table summarizes the findings:
| Legislator/Official | Death Signing Cases | Forged Relationship Cases | Non-Compliance Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wang Hongwei | Yes | Yes | No |
| luo Zhiqiang | Yes | yes | No |
| Lai Shibao | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tu Quanji | Yes | Yes | No |
| Lu Mingzhe | Yes | Yes | No |
| Huang Jianhao | Yes | Yes | No |
| Gao Hongan (Hsinchu Mayor) | No | Yes (12) | Yes (1379) |
| Ding Xuezhong | 27 | 298 | No |
| Fu Kunqi | 14 | No | No |
| zheng Zhengqin | no | No | 1693 |
The case of legislator Ding Xuezhong had the highest number of “forged love affairs” (298) and “death signing” (27).The case of legislator Zheng Zhengqin had the highest number of “not complying with the specified number” (1693), mostly second-level consigners and first-level consigners, or other repeated consigners. Gao Hongan’s resignation case had 1379 people not complying with the regulations, mostly second-level consignees, first-level consignees and repeated consignees. There is no number of deaths before consignees, but 12 people are forged in love.
The CEC’s defense of its recall process comes amid heightened political tensions in Taiwan. The KMT has been critical of the recall efforts, viewing them as politically motivated. the CEC’s description aims to clarify the legal basis for its procedures and address concerns about potential fraud.
What are your thoughts on the recall process in Taiwan? Do you believe repeated signatures should be allowed?
How might these recall efforts impact the upcoming elections?
Understanding Taiwan’s Recall System: A Deeper Dive
The recall system in Taiwan allows citizens to remove elected officials from office before the end of their term. This mechanism is intended to ensure accountability and responsiveness to the electorate. The process is governed by the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, which outlines the specific requirements and procedures for initiating and conducting a recall vote. The system has been used sparingly throughout Taiwan’s democratic history, but recent years have seen an increase in recall attempts, reflecting growing political polarization and citizen engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taiwan’s Recall process
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What is the legal basis for the recall process in Taiwan?
The recall process is governed by the Public Officials Election and Recall Act.
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What are the stages of a recall election in Taiwan?
The recall process involves two stages: a proposal stage requiring 1% of eligible voters’ signatures and an endorsement stage needing 10%.
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Is it legal to sign both the first and second stages of a recall petition?
Yes, but the second-level signature is not included in the final count.
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What constitutes forgery in the context of a recall petition?
Forgery includes using the names of deceased individuals or falsifying relationships to meet signature requirements.
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What is the role of the Central Election Committee in the recall process?
The CEC oversees the recall process, ensuring compliance with the law and verifying the validity of signatures.
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What happens if a recall vote is successful?
The elected official is removed from office, and a special election is held to fill the vacancy.
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How does taiwan’s recall system compare to those in other democracies?
Recall systems vary significantly across democracies, with different thresholds, procedures, and legal frameworks. Some countries do not have a recall mechanism at all.
