TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Amidst Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections, President Tsai Ing-wen drew flak Saturday (Jan. 13) as her official LINE account urged the public to vote, but had election slogans of Lai Ching-te from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The incident drew accusations of illegal campaigning.
The controversial menu image showing Lai’s slogan was subsequently removed from the president's official LINE account. Earlier in the day, Huang Yang-ming, a political commentator, posted a screenshot of Tsai's LINE account page on Facebook, raising questions about whether the act constituted unlawful electioneering on polling day.
In response, online users questioned the legal authority of the Central Election Commission (CEC), posting comments such as "Will the CEC fine the president?" and "File a complaint!"
The CEC had warned that as of midnight on Jan. 13, 2024, the polling day, no campaigning in favor of any candidate was permissible on social media platforms like LINE, Facebook, or any other media.
Violators of these election rules would face a penalty of NT＄100,000 to NT＄1 million. Political parties, candidates, and their employees or agents could face an even steeper penalty of NT＄ 200,000 to NT＄2 million. The investigation results from this alleged violation could carry weighty financial consequences.
