TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Hualien prosecutors on Tuesday arrested incumbent Xiulin Township Mayor Sitang Yuci (王玫瑰) and her husband, Hu Chih-min (胡智民), over alleged vote-buying ahead of the local elections.
Prosecutors said Wednesday that Sitang Yuci and Hu used cash, gifts, and free banquets to solicit voter support, while a charity group is suspected of helping channel local corporate contributions toward the activities, per Liberty Times. It is the first reported vote-buying case this year.
Sitang Yuci, a KMT member, is set to leave office and run for Hualien County Council, while Hu, a retired police officer who has never held political office, is running to succeed her as mayor. Prosecutors allege the couple held banquets in March and April under the pretext of celebrating Hu's 60th birthday, where eligible voters were encouraged to support his candidacy.
Xiulin Township receives more than NT$100 million (US$3.1 million) a year in corporate contributions from mining operations, cement plants, power plants, and other facilities that can face opposition from nearby communities, Liberty Times reported. Investigators suspect some of the money was allocated to the Little Sun Caring Association as charitable funding before an official with the association, surnamed Hsu (徐), used it to finance banquets for Hu.
Sitang Yuci and Hu also held a social gathering in Yilan where guests received cash gifts, and investigators are examining whether those expenses also involved the alleged misuse of corporate contributions. The couple frequently appeared together at township events during Hu's campaign, where they promoted his candidacy.
Hualien prosecutors said Prosecutor Chiang Ang-hsuan (江昂軒) led investigators from the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau, Hualien police, and the National Immigration Agency in searches Tuesday at eight locations, according to Liberty Times. The searches included Xiulin Township Office and the suspects' residences.
Prosecutors said Sitang Yuci, Hu, and Hsu are suspected of breaching Article 99, Paragraph 1, of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, which prohibits vote buying. After questioning, prosecutors arrested the three and sought their detention without visitation, citing concerns that they could flee, destroy evidence, or collude with co-defendants and witnesses.
They could also face charges of embezzlement of public-welfare funds, per CNA. Investigators have identified suspected cash payments of about NT$1,000 to NT$2,000 per vote.
