TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The campaign to recall Hsinchu City (新竹市) Mayor Ann Kao (高虹安) continues to gain momentum as organizers announced that they have collected 1,867 petition signatures on Wednesday (Dec. 18). The movement, which seeks to replace Kao amid corruption allegations, requires 3,547 signatures to pass the first threshold for a recall proposal.
The Taipei District Court (台北地方法院) sentenced Kao to seven years and four months in July for fraudulently claiming assistant fees during her legislative tenure. Following the ruling, the Ministry of the Interior (內政部) suspended her, and Hsinchu City Deputy Mayor Chiu Chen-yuan (邱臣遠) assumed her duties.
The recall initiative has been active for six months. While the collection of signatures has been slow, volunteers have remained steadfast in their support. The group reported the current progress at 53% of the required threshold, emphasizing the need for more public involvement to ensure government accountability and urban development.
Organizers expressed their desire to see Hsinchu City transform, urging citizens to join the effort by signing the petition. They aim for a government that prioritizes city appearance and governance. According to the "Public Officials Election And Recall Act" (公職人員選罷法), the first phase of the recall proposal must include signatures from more than 1% of the original electorate. With over 350,000 voters in the 2022 mayoral election, the target stands at 3,547 signatures.
