What is community service in Taiwan's legal context?

An alternative to jail for sentences under one year, allowing offenders to serve society instead.

Will Mayor Ko Hung-an now be eligible to run?

Yes, if her sentence is finalized and she opts for community service, she may regain candidacy rights.

What happens if the Control Yuan is abolished?

Taiwan would shift from five-branch to four-branch governance, reshaping oversight mechanisms.

When will the amendment take effect?

It will be effective immediately upon promulgation, likely applying to the next election.

Who supports the Taiwan People's Party?

It has strong support among urban youth and middle-class voters, especially in Taipei and Hsinchu.

Election and Recall Act Amended to Allow Social Laborers to Run for Office; TPP Calls It 'Necessary Reform'

Published Jun 13, 2026 5:46 PM ・ Updated Jun 27, 2026 8:19 PM ・ 5 min read ・ Source: CNA (Central News Agency)

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan recently passed an amendment to the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, easing restrictions on candidates serving social labor. While the DPP criticizes it as the 'Ko Hung-an Clause' tailored for a specific individual, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) defends it as a necessary reform for democratic participation.

(Central News Agency reporter Kuo Hsuan-wen, Hsinchu County, June 13) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Lee Kun-cheng stated yesterday that the Legislative Yuan recently passed a third reading of the amendment to Article 26 of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, which relaxes candidacy restrictions for individuals sentenced to community service. The amendment has drawn widespread criticism for being a tailor-made 'Ko Hung-an Clause' benefiting a specific political figure.

Lee pointed out that Hsinchu City Mayor Ko Hung-an was sentenced to six months in prison in the second trial of a false accusation case. If the verdict becomes final and she is granted community service, she could face restrictions on running for office under the previous law. The fact that the ruling coalition pushed through the amendment just before candidate registration, Lee argued, raises suspicion that it aims to remove obstacles for a specific individual.

In response, Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairperson Huang Kuo-chang said today in a media interview that the amendment is a necessary reform based on constitutional protection of citizens' political rights and the principle of proportionality, not a case of legislating for a particular person. He criticized the DPP for deliberately labeling the amendment as the 'Ko Hung-an Clause,' calling it misleading and unfair to Ko.

TPP founding chairperson Ko Wen-je added that it is logically inconsistent to allow individuals sentenced to two years or less with suspended sentences to run for office, while barring those sentenced to six months or less who qualify for fines or community service. Since six-month sentences fall within the two-year threshold, he argued, the amendment restores logical consistency.

Regarding Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's proposal to abolish the Control Yuan, Huang Kuo-chang posted on Facebook today that the Control Yuan has repeatedly attempted to overturn criminal convictions of DPP-affiliated elites. To prevent further political manipulation by the DPP-controlled Control Yuan, Huang announced that the TPP will fully delete its budget, block personnel appointments, and formally establish a constitutional reform committee to expedite the abolition of the Control Yuan. (Edited by Chang Ming-kun) 1150613

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Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
Category: Taiwan

Election and Recall Act Amended to Allow Social Laborers to Run for Office; TPP Calls It 'Necessary Reform'

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