Legislative Yuan Passes Election Law Amendment Easing Candidacy for Suspended Sentences; Kao Hung-an Urges Against Political Over-interpretation

(CNA Reporter Lu Kang-chun, Hsinchu City, 12th) The Legislative Yuan passed a third-reading amendment to the Civil Servants Election and Recall Act, removing candidacy restrictions for those who have received suspended sentences or can commute their sentences to community service. Facing suspicions from the Pan-Green camp that the amendment was tailor-made for her, Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an urged the public not to over-interpret it and to return to rational discussion.

The Legislative Yuan passed the amendment to Article 26 of the Civil Servants Election and Recall Act today, removing the negative candidacy qualification restrictions for those "who have been given a suspended sentence or are eligible to commute a custodial sentence to community labor." In addition, a new provision was added stipulating that those convicted of crimes under the "Fraud Crime Prevention Act" with a final guilty verdict shall not be registered as candidates.

In the case of Kao Hung-an's alleged fraud involving assistant fees, the second instance court modified the conviction to forgery and sentenced her to six months in prison. Fan Yun, Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislative Yuan Caucus, pointed out during negotiations that because Kao might be eligible for community labor, the amendment would be politically perceived as a customized change for Kao, which is unacceptable. Ultimately, no consensus was reached in the cross-caucus negotiations.

In response, Kao Hung-an stated in a joint media interview this afternoon that the right to political participation is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution, and any restrictions must comply with the principles of necessity and proportionality.

Kao said that the current discussions on amending the "Election and Recall Act" arose because various parties had concerns about the "excessive restriction of political participation rights" in its application. She called on the public not to make excessive political interpretations and to view the matter as a normal discussion on legal amendments. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150612

Choose to stand with the facts. Every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.

Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.

The text, images, and audio-visuals of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.