Taiwan’s CEC checks candidates’ nationality for election

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Central Election Commission (CEC) announced on Wednesday (Nov. 29) that all presidential and vice-presidential candidates have submitted nationality verification consent forms to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This step is part of the registration process for Taiwan's upcoming presidential election.

The verification process was initiated as the country prepares for the election. Amid routine checks, Taiwan People's Party (TPP) vice-presidential candidate Cynthia Wu is facing scrutiny over the alleged retention of her U.S. citizenship.

Legislators from both the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Kuomintang (KMT) are urging Wu to provide proof to clarify her nationality status.

The CEC plans to finalize the presidential and vice-presidential candidates' list by Dec. 5 and announce the official roster on Dec. 15.

The DPP has nominated Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim for the presidential and vice-presidential slots, respectively. The TPP has chosen Ko Wen-je and Cynthia Wu, while the KMT has backed Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong for the government's top positions.

As candidates adhere to the administrative requirements, the political discussion is increasingly focused on transparency and eligibility, with citizenship issues becoming prominent.

The CEC's timeline ensures sufficient time to address any concerns before finalizing the candidate list, laying the groundwork for Taiwan's next democratic election cycle.