Controversy Over Cash Distribution in Guanxi: CEC Closely Monitoring Councilor Seats, Proceeding Legally

By Chung Tsen reporter Kao Hua-chien Taipei, June 15 (Central News Agency) – There are external concerns that Guanxi Township in Hsinchu County distributing NT$5,000 is aimed at preserving councilor seats. The Central Election Commission (CEC) stated today that it is closely monitoring the allocation of Hsinchu County councilor seats and handling all matters in accordance with the Public Officials Election and Recall Act. Regarding public opinion that population migration during specific periods should not be included in calculations, the CEC emphasized that there is currently no legal basis in the election law to exclude migrants from population counts for electoral districts during specific timeframes.

Guanxi Township Office in Hsinchu County recently announced that, in response to international circumstances and to strengthen local resilience and promote autonomous development, a local ordinance was submitted to and approved by the township residents’ representative council. Individuals registered in Guanxi by May 29 and not having moved out before the disbursement date are eligible to receive NT$5,000. Over 1,000 people moved into Guanxi within five days of the announcement.

Wang Wan-yu, chairperson of the Taiwan People’s Party, believes that universal cash distribution could lead to population return, securing Guanxi’s two county councilor seats and affecting electoral fairness. The Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office has stated it has opened an investigation.

In a press release today, the CEC explained that the number of seats per electoral district is calculated according to Article 38, Paragraph 2 of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, based on household registration population statistics from the end of the sixth month prior to the election month. For the 2026 (Minguo 115) local public official elections, the seat allocation will be based on population data as of the end of May 2026. The number of seats per district will be announced by the CEC in the official election notice on August 20, 2026.

Concerns have been raised about recent township-level initiatives offering NT$5,000 welfare payments to attract household registration, potentially involving false migration or ghost population issues. The CEC stated that whether such migration violates laws—given potential criminal implications—must ultimately be determined by judicial authorities based on concrete facts. Population statistics and migration audits fall under the jurisdiction of household registration authorities.

Regarding public calls to exclude individuals who moved to Guanxi in late May from electoral population counts, the CEC reiterated that there is currently no legal provision in the election law to exclude migrants during specific time periods from electoral district population calculations. (Edited by Su Chih-tsung) 1150615