-
CEC enforces no-campaign rule on recall vote day
The Central Election Commission bans recall campaign activities for Keelung City Mayor George Hsieh on Oct. 13. Violations may lead to fines up to NT$2 million.
2024/10/09 10:29
-
Keelung declares Oct. 13 holiday for mayor recall vote
Keelung will hold a recall election for Mayor George Hsieh on October 13, with the Central Election Commission designating the day as a holiday for eligible voters in government agencies, schools, businesses, and organizations within the election district.
2024/09/10 15:38
-
President Lai’s family home becomes miners’ memorial museum
Discover how Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te transforms his family home into a miners’ memorial museum on his 100th day in office, amid ongoing political challenges.
2024/08/27 16:18
-
Taichung mayor embarks on US high-tech tour
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen embarks on a 10-day U.S. tour to boost high-tech ties, while Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an plans a September visit. Amid the U.S. election season, the KMT seeks to deepen dialogue on security and trade with both major U.S. parties, emphasizing a strategy of defense and dialogue for regional stability.
2024/07/22 16:11
-
Taiwan to introduce nationwide referendum absentee voting
The Executive Yuan of Taiwan has approved a draft bill for referendum absentee voting, allowing eligible voters to apply for absentee voting through a transfer voting system to protect their voting rights. The new law, in accordance with Article 25 of the amended Referendum Act, aims to facilitate voting for those unable to return to their place of registration due to various reasons. The Central Election Commission will implement the absentee voting method to ensure secrecy and fairness, with an application system open to all eligible voters until 60 days before the voting day. Additionally, an online application system will be established for voter convenience, including options for residents in remote areas to apply for transfer voting within the same county or city.
2024/02/22 15:51
-
Han Kuo-yu wins Taiwan speaker election, immune to recall
Taiwan’s newly elected Legislative Yuan speaker, Han Kuo-yu of the Kuomintang (KMT), cannot be recalled despite public demands due to existing laws. Unlike district-based legislators, Han, as an at-large legislator, is immune to recall. The announcement of Han’s victory in the legislative speaker election on Feb. 1 triggered a surge of interest in the topic of recall. This is a significant turnaround for Han, who was previously recalled as Kaohsiung Mayor in 2019. His brief 528-day term set a record for the shortest in Taiwan’s municipal history, with an unprecedented 939,090 votes of approval. Han’s actions, including his rapid bid for the presidency after being elected mayor in 2018, and perceived ineffective governance, have garnered significant criticism.
2024/02/02 09:10
-
Han Kuo-yu clinches victory in legislative speaker election
Han Kuo-yu of the Kuomintang (KMT) emerged victorious over You Si-kun of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the 11th Legislative Yuan Speaker election, securing 54 votes compared to You’s 51 votes. The KMT also nominated Johnny Chiang, while the DPP fielded incumbent speaker You and deputy speaker Tsai Chi-chang. The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presented Huang Shan-shan as a candidate. After the first round of voting, no candidate had a majority, leading to a second round between Han and You. In the second round, all eight TPP legislators were absent, and the results mirrored the first round. Han’s win confirmed him as the 11th Legislative Yuan Speaker, with the deputy speaker election scheduled for later in the day.
2024/02/01 14:38
-
U.S. delegation arrives in Taiwan one day after elections
A U.S. delegation, including former Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg and American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chair Laura Rosenberger, met with President Tsai Ing-wen and President-elect Lai Ching-te, as well as other Taiwanese government officials, two days after Taiwan’s presidential and legislative elections.
2024/01/15 16:38
-
President Tsai accused of illegal election day campaigning
During Taiwan’s presidential and legislative elections, President Tsai Ing-wen faced criticism after her official LINE account displayed election slogans of Lai Ching-te from the Democratic Progressive Party, leading to accusations of illegal campaigning. The image was later removed from the account. This incident prompted online users to question the authority of the Central Election Commission (CEC) and suggest filing complaints against the president. The CEC had previously warned that campaigning on social media platforms like LINE and Facebook was prohibited on polling day, with violators facing penalties ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$1 million. Political parties, candidates, and their employees or agents could face even higher penalties of NT$200,000 to NT$2 million. The investigation into this alleged violation could have significant financial consequences.
2024/01/13 14:20
-
Taiwan sees high voter turnout for key elections
Explore the vibrant atmosphere of Taiwan’s Election Day, characterized by high voter turnout and active participation from major political figures. Delve into the complexities of securing a parliamentary majority and the efficient vote-counting process, upholding the democratic integrity of the elections.
2024/01/13 13:54
-
Taiwan’s voting procedure and polling station rules
As Taiwan approaches its general election on January 13, voters are reminded to bring essential items like their ID, chop, and voter notice. Strict rules at polling stations and a ban on electioneering highlight the importance of adherence to procedures for a smooth election process.
2024/01/09 20:09
-
Taiwan feels the chill as northeast monsoon hits
The weather in Taiwan was cooler on Sunday (Jan. 7) due to the northeast monsoon, primarily affecting the northern and northeastern regions, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA). Miaoli and Nantou experienced particularly chilly conditions with temperatures reaching lows of 10 degrees Celsius, prompting a cold advisory. Yilan and the western half of Taiwan had milder lows between 12 and 16 degrees, while Hualien and Taitung felt temperatures between 17 and 18 degrees. The highest temperatures of the day, ranging between 24 and 26 degrees, were reported in southern and central Taiwan. The coldest areas were Gongguan Township in Miaoli with 10.2 degrees, Zhongliao Township in Nantou with 10.6, and Fenyuan Township in Changhua County with 11.1. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) suggests that the chill from the northeast monsoon will subside slightly on Monday and Tuesday, although northern regions will remain cool. Warmer daytime temperatures are expected in central and southern regions, though rain seems to be on the horizon. Wednesday could see a notable drop in temperatures due to an advancing cold front from the mainland, increasing the chances of light, localized showers in the north and east. From Thursday through election day on Saturday, residents can expect stable and clear weather, albeit with a touch of chill in the mornings and nights. Residents should stay tuned to CWA’s special forecasts as temperatures under 10 degrees are possible in some flatland regions on Thursday and Friday mornings.
2024/01/07 11:51
-
TPP’s Ko Wen-je rallies for change in Taichung
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je held a rally in Taichung, urging supporters to transcend traditional Blue and Green politics. The event drew a large crowd, demonstrating strong support for Ko. During his speech, Ko expressed gratitude and reassured the audience that victory is close. He emphasized the need for better transportation systems and highlighted the potential of local industries. Ko questioned whether the Kuomintang (KMT) can effectively address day-to-day problems. He appealed to voters to set aside traditional political divides and focus on the electorate’s concerns.
2024/01/07 10:41
-
Taiwan ensures voting rights with election day off
Taiwan’s election day has been designated as a day off under the Labor Standards Act to protect workers’ voting rights. On January 13th, the 16th Presidential and Vice Presidential elections, as well as the 11th Legislative Yuan elections, will be held. Employers are required to grant a day off with regular pay to workers who have voting rights and are scheduled to work on election day. The day off is a continuous 24-hour period from midnight to noon and cannot be exchanged for another working day. If workers are needed on election day, employers must obtain their agreement and not impede their right to vote.
2024/01/06 11:23
-
Ministry of Labor: Election day recognized as a holiday
Taiwan is preparing for its national elections on January 13, which has been declared a "holiday" under the Labor Standards Act. Employers are required to give workers with voting rights a day off and maintain their regular pay. If employers insist on having employees work on election day, they must provide double pay for attendance hours and cannot prevent workers from voting. The elections will determine the 16th President and Vice President of Taiwan, as well as the 11th Legislative Yuan. No additional leave is granted if the voting day falls on a worker’s regular day off. Violations of these regulations may result in fines ranging from NT$20,000 to NT$1 million, in addition to wage compensation. Workers whose rights are compromised can file complaints with the local labor administrative authority.
2024/01/03 19:44
-
DPP launches 10-day nationwide campaign trail
DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te and running mate Hsiao Bi-khim have begun their 10-day election campaign trail, which includes 21 large-scale rallies and greeting voters at over 1,000 crossroads across all 22 municipalities in Taiwan. Lai will take three more trips around the island before the election on Jan. 12. The campaign will conclude with joint campaigning in New Taipei and Taipei City.
2024/01/03 17:36
-
Voters in Taiwan can verify data online: MOI
The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has announced that the public can check their voting rights information by using their ID card and birth date on the Department of Household Registration website from December 26 to December 28. People can also visit local township, city, or district offices to check the list of eligible voters and request a correction if there is inaccurate data. To have voting rights, individuals must be at least 20 years old and have continuously resided in the free area of the Republic of China for at least six months for presidential elections, and at least four months in the respective constituency for legislative elections. The voters’ list will be compiled using records from 20 days before election day. The Department of Household Registration will also enable online inquiries about polling station locations from January 8 to 13, 2024, to assist individuals who do not live at their registered addresses or have not received a voting notification.
2023/12/26 15:55
-
Verbal gaffes continue for KMT’s VP candidate Jaw Shaw-kong
During a campaign event in New Taipei City, Kuomintang (KMT) vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong mistakenly referred to the election day on Jan. 13 as ’Jan. 15.’ He quickly corrected himself, stating that they would be a president-elect on Jan. 15 next year, which received enthusiastic applause from supporters. This is not the first verbal gaffe from Jaw, as he has made other slips of the tongue recently. He called out the rival Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te instead of his own party’s presidential hopeful Hou Yu-ih during a policy presentation by the Central Election Committee (CEC). Furthermore, he referred to former KMT chairman Johnny Chiang as a ’terrorist of peace for Taiwan’ instead of DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te during a campaign event in Taichung. Jaw also criticized the DPP’s governance record over the last eight years, arguing that their belief in a change of personnel and party now resonated with the DPP itself.
2023/12/26 11:10
-
Defense Ministry to boost security ahead of Taiwan elections
The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan is preparing for the upcoming presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 13, 2024, by upgrading its security readiness for 40 hours. This will take place from 5 p.m. on Jan. 12 until 8 a.m. on Jan. 14. Around 5,000 military personnel may not be able to cast their votes, similar to the 2020 general elections. However, the number of naval and air force personnel, 24-hour on-call missile units, and air force operations management on standby is expected to exceed that of 2020. The ministry has ordered its forces to compile rosters for Election Day and implement rotation measures for combat readiness to ensure the voting rights of military personnel. Due to tense military situations caused by periodic crossings of the median line of the strait by People’s Liberation Army vessels and aircraft since August last year, there may be more naval and air force personnel on standby compared to the 2020 presidential election. Typically, soldiers stationed far from their registered residences vote in the morning and then return to their camps before noon to switch with standby soldiers who then go out to vote.
2023/12/25 17:43
-
TRA adds 81 trains for Taiwan election travel
The Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) will add 81 train services from Jan. 12 to 15 next year to accommodate travelers returning home for the presidential and legislative elections. The additional train services will cover all types of trains and aim to strengthen transportation capacity during the election period. Starting Friday at midnight, presidential and legislative election train tickets will be available for booking online, at convenience stores, and via telephone reservation system. The TRA estimates a 5.2 percent average daily increase in capacity during this period, with the west line seeing a 2.4 percent rise, the east line 12.6 percent, and the south-link line 4.7%. This will result in approximately 39,000 extra seats each day compared to regular days. Compared to the election year of 2020, the overall number of seats will increase by 8.89 percent and total seat kilometers by 9.76 percent in 2024, according to the TRA.
2023/12/12 18:50
-
NTNU announces record 56-day winter break for students
National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) students are set to enjoy an unprecedented winter break lasting 56 days, from December 25 to February 18, the longest in the institution’s history. This extended vacation period aligns with the academic schedules of several countries, allowing international students to return home for Christmas. Other universities, such as National Taiwan University (NTU) and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech), also begin their winter breaks on December 25. NTU’s break will last until February 6, while Taiwan Tech has added 10 extra days, ending on February 16. During this winter break, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation is offering discounted tickets to university students, with discounts of 50%, 75%, and 88% available from January 4 to January 10. Additionally, there are 28 train services providing tickets at 50% off. The upcoming 2024 presidential election in Taiwan, taking place on January 13, is also on students’ minds, as it coincides with their winter break, potentially facilitating greater voter participation among the youth demographic.
2023/12/07 20:35
-
’Lack of’ wins Taiwan 2023 character of the year poll
The "Taiwan 2023 Character of the Year" poll announced that the character "缺" (lack) received the most votes, representing the multifaceted social issues faced by Taiwan. The character symbolizes challenges such as shortages of water, electricity, masks, vaccines, rapid test kits, labor, and notably, eggs. "蛋" (egg) secured the second position, forming the term "缺蛋" (lack eggs), highlighting the egg scarcity in Taiwan. "詐" (fraud) came in third place, reflecting the persistent fraud cases in Taiwanese society. The nominations for these characters were made by Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang, former Control Yuan President Wang Chien-shien, and Taiwan Mobile President Jamie Lin, who emphasized growing insecurity, political quality, and fraud issues, respectively. The "Taiwan 2023 Character of the Year" election, organized by the CTBC Foundation for Arts and Culture and the United Daily News, received a total of 65,043 votes from the public over a 25-day period. This annual character selection has been conducted for 16 consecutive years, reflecting the pulse of Taiwanese society and its people’s thoughts.
2023/12/07 20:08
-
TPP’s Ko Wen-je admits poor handling of KMT split in intw.
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je admitted in a livestream interview that his handling of the split with the Kuomintang (KMT) was not managed well, leading to his lagging position in multiple polls. Facing a widening gap with his second-ranked rival, Ko expressed his determination to "reset and restart" his campaign. He confessed to living with regret every day since his decision to run for Taipei mayor in 2014. Ko emphasized that the key outcome will be determined on election day and voiced frustration over unjust accusations linking him to the negative impacts of Terry Gou’s influence. Ko seeks to secure a total of 10 seats for the TPP and highlighted the necessity of obtaining at least 5.5 million votes to win the presidency. He likened Taiwan’s position in U.S.-China relations to navigating a delicate mother-in-law relationship, underscoring the need for effective communication. Despite fierce competition from the KMT and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Ko pledges to continue his fight for the presidency until the end.
2023/12/07 10:03
-
DPP’s Hsiao Bi-khim affirms unwavering R.O.C. citizenship
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice-presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim has clarified that she has never renounced her Republic of China (R.O.C., Taiwan) citizenship, addressing speculations about her nationality status. While she once held U.S. citizenship due to her American mother, she renounced it in 2002 and has documentation to prove it. Hsiao, who has served multiple terms as a legislator, believes that her background has been thoroughly vetted. The discussion about her nationality arose from her time working in the Presidential Office in 2000, where confusion arose due to differing regulations under the Nationality Act and the Household Registration Act. Hsiao emphasized the importance of having a household registration in Taiwan, as it affects immigration, employment, and treatment. However, she assured the public that on the day she assumed her position as an "overseas compatriot legislator," she obtained her R.O.C. identification card. Hsiao expressed confidence in her and her presidential running mate Lai Ching-te’s candidature, stating that everything has been meticulously checked, instilling great confidence as they head into the election.
2023/12/04 14:29
-
Ko Wen-je stands firm as TPP’s candidate for 2024 election
In a Facebook announcement, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je’s campaign manager Vivian Huang confirmed that Ko will persist as the TPP’s presidential candidate in Taiwan’s 2024 election. Huang had earlier represented the campaign at the Central Election Commission (CEC) to obtain the necessary forms. Ko’s rival candidate, Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT), proposed that both parties publicly review nine opinion polls and broadcast the process live, but Huang dismissed the idea, asserting that the scientific data would not change. Huang emphasized that Ko intended to run as the TPP nominee, even without a formal partnership with the KMT. Ko’s campaign spokesman, Austin Tai, reiterated the unwavering nature of Ko’s candidacy and clarified his current status in the race. While Ko plans to hold campaign meetings with his staff on Thursday, he has no intention of registering at the CEC on that day. Despite the ongoing election fervor, Ko Wen-je remains a steadfast figure in Taiwan’s dynamic political landscape, determined to contest the presidency, whether or not he receives broader coalition support.
2023/11/23 12:42