Recall Votes Underway for KMT Lawmakers and Hsinchu Mayor

Recall votes are taking place today across Taiwan, as nearly 6.79 million voters in nine counties and cities decide whether to remove 24 Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators from office. The Central Election Commission (CEC) oversees this significant electoral event, which also includes a recall vote for Ann Kao, the suspended mayor of Hsinchu City.

The push for these recalls originated from Ker Chien-ming, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip, who called for mass recalls in early January. Civic groups have rallied behind this initiative, targeting a total of 31 KMT lawmakers whom they accuse of being pro-China and posing threats to national security. Additional recall votes for seven more legislators are set for August 23, 2023.

If successful, the recalled officials will be required to resign from their positions by next Friday, and they will forfeit their salaries and subsidies related to their roles. The CEC has confirmed that these officials will be barred from running for the same office for a period of four years. Conversely, if the recall votes do not reach the necessary threshold, those targeted cannot be subject to another recall for the remainder of their term.

To achieve a successful recall, “yes” votes must surpass “no” votes and must exceed one-quarter of the eligible voters within the constituency. Recognizing the importance of voter turnout, recall supporters have been actively campaigning outside subway stations, in public parks, and at food markets in the weeks leading up to today’s event. Thousands gathered in Taipei on Thursday and Friday nights to demonstrate their support for the recalls.

In contrast, KMT legislators have mobilized their own efforts to persuade voters to reject the recall proposals. The party has dispatched some of its most prominent figures to advocate for “no” votes and held a mass rally on Ketagalan Boulevard in Taipei last night.

Public opinion surrounding the recall efforts is markedly divided. Supporters like Aaron Yu, aged 32, argue that the legislation passed by KMT lawmakers often favors China. Conversely, critics such as Sharon Chen, a 65-year-old restaurant worker, view the recall initiative as a misuse of resources, asserting that voters made their choices in the previous elections.

In preparation for potential external interference during the recall vote, the Coast Guard Administration’s northern branch has deployed over 150 personnel to conduct security sweeps along beaches and inspect ports in areas including Yilan, Hsinchu, New Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan. These measures aim to mitigate threats from suspicious individuals and activities.

The Coast Guard is utilizing radar systems to monitor coastal areas for unusual vessels and has heightened alerts for coast guard ships to prevent any influence from the Chinese Communist Party, which may employ “gray zone” tactics to sway the voting process.

As the hours progress in this crucial voting day, the outcome remains uncertain, but the implications for Taiwan’s political landscape could be profound.