Election commission to challenge ’prisoner voting’ proposal

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairperson Lee Chin-yung stated on Friday (Oct. 13) that the Public Officials Election and Recall Act does not accommodate absentee voting processes and noted that voting in jails contains security issues.

A day earlier, the Taipei High Administrative Court (THAC) ruled that the Taoyuan City Election Commission should establish a polling booth in Taipei Prison, located in Taoyuan City, after its inmate, surnamed Lin, initiated a legal case due to dissatisfaction with being prevented from voting during his sentence.

Despite pending the lawsuit's resolution, this case marks a first in Taiwan where a court has ruled in favor of allowing incarcerated persons to vote in prison.

Lee indicated that the Commission has decided to file an interlocutory appeal to the THAC, suggesting the provisional injunction requires further discussion.

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Tsai Ching-hsiang clarified that his department, which includes the Agency of Corrections, will wait for the case's final verdict before taking necessary actions regarding voting in prisons.

Tsai assured that the Ministry of Justice and the CEC will consult and abide by the confirmed court ruling.