【Epoch Times Report July 20, 2026】Taiwan’s Premier, Cho Jung-tai, attended the discussion meeting on the supervision of local civil servant elections by the judiciary and law enforcement authorities today, July 20. He instructed the judiciary, police, investigation, integrity agencies, and immigration departments to rigorously investigate bribery, violence, gambling activities, dissemination of false information, and the interference of foreign forces in order to ensure the upcoming nine-in-one elections at the end of the year are fair and clean.
Premier Cho Jung-tai gave a speech at the meeting, attended by spokesperson for the Executive Yuan, Li Hui-zhi, Minister of the Interior, Liu Shi-fang, Minister of Justice, Zheng Ming-qian, Director of the Central Election Commission, You Ying-long, Acting Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors Office, Xu Xi-xiang, Chief Prosecutor of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, Zhang Dou-hui, Director of the National Police Agency under the Ministry of the Interior, Zhang Rong-xing, Director of the Immigration Agency, Lin Hong-en, Director of the Integrity Department of the Ministry of Justice, Xie Ming-guan, and Deputy Director of the Investigation Bureau, Lian Zhen-zong.
In his address, Premier Cho emphasized that the protection of the country’s economic development achievements relies on the defense forces, while the democracy of elections depends on the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies. With only 131 days left until the nine-in-one elections, and facing threats such as bribery, violence, election gambling, deep fake videos, misinformation, and foreign interference, he urged the judiciary, police, investigation, integrity, immigration departments to fulfill their duties, strengthen inter-agency and inter-departmental cooperation to safeguard democracy with the utmost determination and capabilities, ensuring the fairness and cleanliness of democratic elections.
Premier Cho expressed his pride in witnessing the law enforcement colleagues and leaders at the Ministry of the Interior’s National Police Agency filled with a sense of mission and confidence every time he visits the grand hall. He looks forward to successfully completing the nine-in-one local elections in 131 days and earning the respect of the people once again.
He pointed out that law enforcement personnel are well aware of individuals in the local arena who may be involved in bribery, possess violent backgrounds, or spread false information through digital tools. The key lies in how to plan comprehensively in advance, demonstrate the government’s full readiness, ability, and confidence in maintaining election order, thereby deterring those intending to engage in unlawful activities, making them cautious and unwilling to act recklessly.
Furthermore, Premier Cho emphasized that “elections can be competitive but cannot be bought; public issues can be discussed but not manipulated.” Through the continuous democratic process, Taiwan has been enhancing its national democratic literacy, yet to achieve fair and clean elections, it necessitates concerted efforts of inter-agency collaboration, inter-county/city coordination, and law enforcement agencies strengthening horizontal communication to unleash collective strength.
Premier Cho mentioned that there are four key elements to ensure fair elections. The methods of election disruption evolve constantly and diversely, necessitating the government to combat bribery, false information, and foreign interference. He urged the colleagues in the judiciary, police, investigation, integrity, immigration departments to rigorously guard their respective positions as if they were playing the role of “goalkeepers” in a World Cup game, preventing any unlawful actions from advancing further and disrupting the nation’s tranquility and progress.
Firstly, “rigorous scrutiny of bribery and prevention of violence in elections” plays an essential role. Bribery, violence, and intimidation are often interconnected, despite the public possessing significant democratic maturity and Taiwan’s democracy approaching maturity. However, there are still unlawful behaviors prevalent. Especially with the increasing popularity of electronic payment tools, game points, and virtual assets can become new forms of criminal tools, heightening the difficulty of conducting bribery investigations. He urged all agency heads to strengthen staff education and training and related equipment preparation before the election day, enhancing frontline personnel’s technological knowledge to ensure that government’s law enforcement technology does not fall behind that of criminals.
Secondly, “cutting off election gambling and suppressing the effects of intervention.” Various election gambling activities have spread throughout different regions, with some involving illegal entities operating long-term criminal activities or attempting to manipulate the election atmosphere and influence the election results. Therefore, law enforcement agencies must spare no effort in investigating underground gambling activities and the organized gangs behind them, decisively stop the proliferation of election gambling, and restrain inappropriate forces from intervening.
Thirdly, “preventing the interference of deep fake videos and false information in elections.” Not only in Taiwan but in major democratic countries worldwide, elections face similar threats, necessitating all nations to bolster their protection measures. Taiwan possesses excellent technological, industrial, and manufacturing standards, and should develop effective mechanisms to counteract the threats posed by deepfake technology and misinformation. Premier Cho hoped that agency heads would strengthen horizontal cooperation with the Digital Development Department and the National Communications Commission, displaying the government’s capability to prevent interference from deep fake videos and false information during elections.
Lastly, “blocking foreign interference in elections and upholding democratic order.” Taiwan is at the forefront of geopolitics, facing constant threats of foreign interference. The related agencies must identify the sources of funding, organizational motives, participating members, and spread networks of foreign influences to effectively grasp the various methods used by external forces to disrupt democratic procedures, hence thwarting foreign interference and upholding democratic order.
Premier Cho stressed that election results should be determined by the free will of the people. Whether it is the election of parliamentary representatives or government leaders, foreign interference will distort the future direction of the country. Therefore, the government will not allow external forces to interfere in domestic elections in any form. In this upcoming nine-in-one election, all agencies, including the judiciary, police, investigation, integrity, and immigration departments, will be mobilized on a large scale once again to conduct stringent security arrangements, exerting full effort to prevent external interference and ensure the smooth progress of the elections.
He emphasized that real democracy must embody true popular will; only with genuine democracy can a true government be formed. Premier Cho urged all agency heads to work hand in hand to complete an exemplary, honorable, meaningful election that contributes to the country’s progress, allowing mainstream public opinion in Taiwan to be generated through democratic processes, ensuring democracy remains inviolable, elections remain free from undue interference, and are not swayed by bribery, money, or violence.