TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Legislative Yuan on Friday approved four of seven nominees to the Central Election Commission, rejecting three candidates proposed by the ruling DPP.
Lawmakers confirmed pollster You Ying-lung (游盈隆) as CEC chair, along with Fooyin University professor Su Jia-hong (蘇嘉宏), Soochow University professor Su Tzu-chiao (蘇子喬), and China University of Science and Technology Vice President Lee Li-chung (李禮仲) as commissioners, per Tai Sounds.
With more than five commissioners now seated, the CEC has reached the legal quorum required to hold meetings and issue resolutions.
Responding to the opposition’s rejection of several nominees, DPP Legislator Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜) said there had been little criticism of the candidates before the vote, per Newtalk. She called on opposition parties to work with the government on future confirmations.
Before the vote, the KMT said it would support candidates it viewed as more politically neutral, per Liberty Times. KMT Legislative Caucus Convener Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) cited former CEC Chair Li Chin-yung (李進勇) as a negative example, accusing him of bias for removing a referendum proposal submitted by the legislature.
Within the DPP, however, the nomination of You drew criticism from some lawmakers, per UP Media. Because of You’s past criticism of the party, particularly of former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), members aligned with Tsai’s faction reportedly resisted supporting his nomination unless required to do so under party rules.
DPP Legislator Wang Yi-chuan (王義川), a member of the Taiwan Normal Country Promotion Association, publicly called on You to clarify his stance on the eligibility controversy surrounding TPP Legislator Lee Chen-hsiu (李貞秀).
Despite internal criticism, DPP lawmakers ultimately voted unanimously in favor of You. DPP Legislative Caucus Secretary-General Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) said before the vote that while caucus members had expressed strong frustration, they also recognized the need for a bipartisan chair to maintain the CEC‘s independence, per SETN.
One issue the CEC may soon face is the controversy surrounding Lee’s eligibility, per Liberty Times. The Cabinet recently said the CEC could file a lawsuit to challenge the validity of an elected official’s victory if legal disputes arise.
TPP Legislative Caucus Convener Chen Ching-lung (陳清龍) said his party believes the CEC will remain neutral and declined to speculate on how the situation might develop, per Z.Media. However, responding to Wang’s demand that You clarify his position on Lee, Chen said the request showed the DPP was attempting to exert undue influence over an independent body, per Newtalk.
