TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taipei High Administrative Court on Friday rejected former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je’s (柯文哲) petition to vote in the July 26 recall election, though the ruling can be appealed.

During a hearing on Thursday, Ko’s attorney Hsiao I-hung (蕭奕弘) argued that detainees retain the legal right to vote and that Ko was being denied that right, per UDN. Hsiao proposed alternatives, including mail-in voting, setting up a polling station inside the Taipei Detention Center, or allowing supervised voting under detention personnel.

Hsiao also cited previous court rulings that recognized detainees’ voting rights and urged the court to remain consistent with past decisions. The Taipei City Election Commission responded by affirming that while detainees do have the right to vote under the law, the legislature has not provided a legal mechanism to enable them to do so, per UP Media.

The Taipei Detention Center expressed concerns about staffing limitations and the logistical challenges of escorting detainees to polling stations. It argued that Ko should not receive preferential treatment over other detainees and urged the court to consider the broader implications.

In response to the ruling, the Taiwan People’s Party cited the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which affirms the right of all citizens to participate in public affairs and elections, per UDN. While Taiwan is not a UN member, the Legislative Yuan ratified the covenant in 2009 under President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), making it legally binding under domestic law.

Covenants Watch, a civil rights group, criticized the government in 2022 for failing to establish a legal framework allowing detainees to vote.

The New Power Party echoed that stance on Tuesday, calling on the legislature to pass laws that guarantee voting rights for all detainees, not just high-profile figures. The NPP emphasized that suffrage should be a universal right, not a selective privilege.

Ko, who is currently in pre-trial detention, received a household notification to vote in the recall election targeting Kuomintang Legislator Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強), per CM Media. TPP leaders said denying Ko the right to vote sends a broader political message about what they described as the Democratic Progressive Party’s abuse of state power.

TPP insiders also warned that if the DPP flips at least six KMT seats in the recall elections, it could form a legislative majority. CM Media reported that in some of the most contested districts, mobilizing TPP supporters could prove decisive.