TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Central Election Commission reported receiving 64 recall proposals by 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, with any submissions after 8:30 a.m. Thursday falling under the newly enacted regulations.

Amendments to the Public Officials Election and Recall Act took effect Thursday. The CEC said it had updated procedures and petition formats in line with the revised law, per CNA.

The amendment, passed in December by KMT and TPP lawmakers, requires recall petitioners to provide copies of their national ID cards. Supporters argue it strengthens verification, while critics contend it complicates the recall process.

Previously, petitioners were not required to submit ID copies, allowing for a less restrictive process. The amendment introduces penalties for identity fraud in recall petitions, including up to five years in prison, detention, or fines of up to NT$1 million (US$30,538).

The Legislative Yuan rejected the Cabinet's request for an amendment review. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) officially promulgated the revisions on Wednesday.

After the announcement, the CEC confirmed it had updated the recall petition guidelines to align with the new requirements. Petitions lacking clear, legible ID copies will be rejected, and those with incomplete or unclear ID information will be disqualified.

The recalls are part of a broader political wave that has swept Taiwan in recent months. The movement gained traction in December after lawmakers from the KMT and TPP approved a central government budget that slashed NT$207.5 billion (US$6.29 billion) from the Cabinet’s original proposal.

In response, DPP caucus leader Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) led efforts to recall 41 KMT legislators. Meanwhile, KMT supporters launched counter-recalls against four DPP lawmakers in KMT-leaning districts.