TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Scholars questioned Deputy Justice Minister Huang Mou-hsin’s (黃謀信) ability to serve as an independent member of the Central Election Commission during a legislative hearing on CEC nominees Monday.
After the Legislature rejected three DPP nominees for the CEC, the Cabinet nominated former Cabinet counselor Shen Shu-fei (沈淑妃), lawyer Tsai Wei-che (蔡維哲), and Huang for positions on the commission, per CNA.
During the hearing, former Control Yuan member Chang Kuei-mei (仉桂美) argued that appointing a political appointee, particularly a senior figure in the prosecutorial system, raises concerns about impartiality. She said that while prosecutors have previously been appointed as commissioners, it remains unclear whether any of those precedents involved political appointees.
Aletheia University law professor Wu Jing-jin (吳景欽) said Huang’s resume more closely resembles that of a nominee for prosecutor-general. He echoed Chang’s concerns, noting that the CEC has oversight authority over referendum content.
Former CEC Commissioner Chen En-min (陳恩民) defended the nomination, saying that before laws governing the commission were enacted, interior ministers and Justice Ministry personnel responsible for anti-corruption efforts were often appointed as commissioners. He said Huang’s appointment could continue coordination between the CEC and other government agencies.
However, Chen suggested amending the law to allow ministers to attend CEC meetings rather than appointing political appointees as commissioners.
Fu Jen Catholic University professor Yao Meng-chang (姚孟昌) said his primary concern with the slate of nominees is their lack of experience dealing with foreign interference in elections. He also urged lawmakers to confirm the nominees as soon as possible, per UDN.
In related news, TPP Legislative Caucus Convener Chen Ching-lung (陳清龍) addressed criticism of Huang during a Tuesday news conference, per Tai Sounds. He said the party would closely examine whether Huang’s role as a political appointee could conflict with the requirement that CEC commissioners act independently.
Chen added that all three nominees have responded to questionnaires submitted by the party, per Liberty Times. He said the party would determine its position after reviewing their responses and the broader discussion surrounding the nominations.
