CEC nominees visit TPP caucus; TPP emphasizes 'rigorous review'

(CNA, Taipei, 29th) Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chang Tun-han led three Central Election Commission (CEC) nominees to visit the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) legislative caucus today. TPP lawmakers Liu Shu-bin and Chen Chao-tzu raised questions about how to maintain independence and impartiality; caucus convener Chen Ching-lung stated that they would conduct a rigorous review. The Legislative Yuan voted on March 13 to pass the personnel case for four CEC members, including nominee for chairperson You Ying-lung, while three others, including nominee for deputy chairperson Hu Bo-yen, were rejected. On April 21, the Executive Yuan appointed the four members, including You Ying-lung, and nominated three new CEC members—former Executive Yuan counselor Shen Shu-fei, lawyer Tsai Wei-che, and Deputy Minister of Justice Huang Mou-hsin—to the Legislative Yuan for review. Chang Tun-han visited the TPP caucus today with Shen Shu-fei, Tsai Wei-che, and Huang Mou-hsin, where they were received by a delegation led by TPP caucus convener Chen Ching-lung. In his opening remarks, Chen Ching-lung stated that the CEC is an independent agency, and in reviewing the personnel consent power, the TPP caucus upholds the attitude of recruiting talent for the country, conducting reviews with a rigorous spirit in accordance with the law to ensure that every member can perform election duties fairly and impartially. The TPP caucus also proposed 10 important issues and expects complete answers from the nominees. Liu Shu-bin said that the matters handled by CEC members affect democratic development and the acquisition of power, and reflect the needs of the public, making them very important. Therefore, she believes that CEC members should have experience and understanding of large-scale public affairs, as well as experience in handling major political controversies. Liu pointed out that the TPP is concerned about whether the CEC can maintain its independence under pressure from the President, the Executive Yuan, the Legislative Yuan, and the ruling party. In addition, views on absentee voting in line with international trends will also be mentioned during the review, and she hopes the nominees will consider how to maintain equality between voters and voting. Chen Chao-tzu expressed concern about what the nominees would prioritize when there is a conflict between executive power and party pressure. Citing last year's recall cases, she pointed out that one camp's cases were all approved while another's were all rejected, showing that voters believe the CEC has "problems." Therefore, she hopes the nominees will explain that they are impartial, do not accept party pressure, and are willing to serve all citizens, hoping the CEC will become the "nation's CEC." Chang Tun-han said that all three caucuses have submitted questionnaires to the nominees. The CEC is an independently operating agency, and in Taiwan's democracy, it is very important that election affairs are fair, impartial, and open. Currently, there are 8 CEC members, and for the healthy overall operation of the CEC, the Executive Yuan has nominated 3 people to supplement the needs of substantive operations.