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MAC: ‘Chinese spouses’ running in local elections must submit proof of relinquishing Chinese household registration
“Chinese spouses” registered as candidates in the upcoming November 28 local elections must submit proof that they have given up their household registration in China for at least 10 years in order to be eligible to run. They must also not violate national security laws and other related regulations. That came from the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑). Twenty-six candidates originally from China and married to Taiwanese nationals, commonly called “Chinese spouses” in Taiwan, registered to run in the upcoming local elections, an increase of seven from the previous election. Liang said that determining whether a candidate meets eligibility requirements is the responsibility of the Central Election Commission, but the MAC’s position and interpretation of the rules is clear. Candidates can run for office only after 10 years after they relinquish their Chinese household registration and must submit proof.
Taiwan to combat political deepfakes with specialized task force
The Central Election Commission (CEC) announced Wednesday that public elections will be held Nov. 28 and said it plans to launch an online platform to combat disinformation spread through deepfake content. CEC Chairperson Michael You (游盈隆) said the elections are for 11,051 public officials, taking place over 8,906 constituencies through 18,244 polling stations. You noted that nearly 250,000 election workers will be involved, more than 300,000 if referendums are included. He said this is arguably the largest and most complex democratic election on Earth. Fake videos have impacted elections around the world, You stated, leading the CEC to establish a specialized deepfake video prevention task force. The commission says it will launch an online platform to facilitate candidates’ reports of deepfakes to online platform operators to accelerate their removal. Chairperson You said the CEC didn’t receive the Legislature’s notice of three passed referendums until late Tuesday, leading the commission to postpone this Friday’s meeting to next Friday, August 28. Responding to media questions regarding the possibility of all three referendums being rejected, You said, “The Central Election Commission operates on a collegial system, requiring all eight committee members to meet together, discuss, then make a decision. Therefore, I cannot give a statement at this time.”
Lai warns of Chinese interference in Taiwan’s year-end elections; KMT urges probe
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) warned Wednesday that China views Taiwan’s year-end elections as a key test of its Taiwan policy and is seeking support for “patriotic forces” in Taiwan. Lai, who also chairs the ruling DPP, cited reports that a recent Beidaihe meeting issued important instructions on Taiwan-related work. He said China may use fake news, fake opinion polls, and other misinformation to influence the elections. Ko Chih-en (柯志恩), a KMT lawmaker and candidate for mayor of Kaohsiung, said Thursday that national security forces should promptly investigate if Chinese interference has occurred. She said, “I really think this logic is extremely absurd. If China is going to interfere in the election, then our national security agencies should quickly investigate and prosecute people when there is evidence. Don’t allow insinuations of election interference to spread everywhere. If there is evidence, prosecute people; if there is no evidence, shut up.” Fan Yun (范雲), secretary-general of the DPP legislative caucus, said China’s interference in Taiwan’s elections was not new and had been increasing, according to intelligence. She emphasized, “We have also seen a great deal of disinformation online, including a lot of videos and images, that actually show signs of the CCP manipulating and influencing the election behind the scenes. So I think individual KMT candidates should not assume that President Lai is targeting only one election or one city or county.” Fan said various intelligence reports suggest that the government must be on high alert to the influence of external forces on elections in order for Taiwanese people to have democratic and fair elections. She urged the public to stay vigilant, strengthen media literacy, and clarify misinformation. Fan also cited remarks by Zhang Weiwei (张维为), director of Fudan University’s China Institute, who said Taiwan would have “no next election,” as evidence of China’s efforts to intimidate and influence Taiwan’s politics. The dispute follows similar accusations over alleged Chinese disinformation and fake polling in Kaohsiung.
Proposed caning referendum may align with year-end elections: CEC
A proposed referendum to introduce caning as a criminal penalty could be held alongside year-end elections, though the measure remains under development, the Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairperson Michael You (游盈隆) said Wednesday. KMT Legislator Hung Mong-kai (洪孟楷) and 52 other lawmakers have proposed the caning referendum, seeking to add caning to the list of special criminal punishment for offenses including sexual assault, child abuse, large-scale fraud, and aggravated compound fraud. Speaking before a legislative committee session, You said the proposal is still in formation and that the CEC will monitor its progress. When asked whether it could be tied to the local elections, he responded, “Since it's still in the process of forming, we don’t know what the final outcome will be, but we will pay close attention.” He reiterated that for referendum proposals passed by the Legislature, the CEC will handle them according to the law, maintaining that “approval is the principle, rejection is the exception.” Lawmakers also raised concerns about costs and legal risks. You noted that a single referendum costs NT$1 billion (US$32 million) and said that any potential harm resulting from caning would need to be considered. He added that the CEC will remain neutral until the proposal’s legislative outcome is clear.