Several volunteer groups from across Taiwan submitted the first-stage proposal to the Central Election Commission (CEC) today (3rd) for recall efforts. The CEC stated that they have received 19 recall cases, and prior to the implementation of the new amendments to the recall law, the cases submitted to the responsible election commissions will still follow the previous regulations.
The Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China passed certain amendments to the “Recall Act for Public Officials” on December 20, 2024, under the influence of blue and white legislators. The amended articles require that proposers and petitioners of recall cases must attach copies of their national identification cards. The Ministry of the Interior expressed regret over the amendment, stating that without societal consensus, the stricter requirements for recall petitions limit the people’s right to recall officials, making it highly unlikely for future recall cases to be successful.
On January 24, the last working day before the Lunar New Year holiday, blue and white legislators submitted the amended articles of the Election Referendum Law to the Executive Yuan. The Executive Yuan found the amendment impractical and held an emergency special meeting, led by Premier Cho Jung-tai, to pass a resolution. Executive Yuan Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin formally submitted the reconsideration proposal to the Legislative Yuan on February 2, pending a vote. Speaker of the Legislative Yuan Han Kuo-yu issued a negotiation notice this afternoon, scheduling a cross-party discussion for the 6th at 2:30 p.m.
The 11th Legislative Yuan legislators marked their first anniversary on February 1, triggering the official start of recall actions initiated by civic groups. Former TSMC founder Morris Chang accompanied 18 recall volunteer groups to the CEC to submit the first-stage petitions. In his speech, he mentioned that the blue and white legislators who have undermined the constitution and governance in the recall movement are from various districts in Taiwan, demonstrating a movement beyond party politics and reflecting the will of Taiwanese citizens. Chang emphasized that the essence of Taiwanese politics lies in the citizens holding the voting power and expressing their sovereignty, declaring the rejection of efforts by these legislators to destabilize the country.
Chang also articulated that through this recall effort, they aim to show the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that their authoritarian rule thrives only through the ignorance and subservience of the people. Taiwanese citizens possess a strong sense of civic awareness and sovereignty that cannot be intimidated or subdued. Chang urged the CCP to abandon its delusion of annexing Taiwan, cease the deceit, bribery, and infiltration in Taiwan, and reflect on the inhumane and anti-civilization atrocities committed against the Chinese people, restoring their rightful civil rights.
He stated, “Some say that recall is disruptive, but recall is not a disturbance; it is the most fundamental right of citizens. Today’s recall movement transcends the old blue-green confrontation; the confrontation between blue and green is an outdated issue. The real question today is whether to resist the CCP and protect Taiwan, or to collaborate with them and betray Taiwan? Therefore, today’s recall is a holy war against the CCP, eliminating traitors, a democratic struggle against dictatorship, and a fight for freedom against enslavement.” He emphasized, “As long as we stand united, we can expel the traitors, safeguard our national sovereignty, uphold democracy and freedom, and secure a bright future for Taiwan. Save our country. Please stand up!”
The CEC mentioned that the recall cases received today will undergo an initial review. If they meet the submission requirements, the cases will be transferred to the respective local election commissions for verification. As the related cases are ongoing processes, election authorities will not comment unnecessarily on individual cases. For recall cases filed before the implementation of the new law amendments, the CEC will handle them based on the previous regulations under Article 131 of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, without further comments or responses.
The CEC emphasized that all recall cases will be handled according to the law without any preferential treatment by the CEC or local election commissions. As for the number of recall cases of concern, as of 10 a.m. today, the CEC received a total of 19 recall cases, with 18 involving legislative recall and 1 involving the recall of a city or county mayor.
Various volunteer groups across Taiwan proposed recalling Kuomintang legislators, including Taipei City legislators Wang Hung-wei and Lee Yen-hsiu; New Taipei City legislator Yeh Yuan-chih; Taoyuan City legislators Niu Hsu-ting, Tu Chuan-chi, Lu Ming-che, Wan Mei-ling, Lu Yu-ling, and Chiu Jo-hua; Hsinchu City legislator Cheng Cheng-chien; Nantou County legislator Yu Hao; Taichung City legislators Yen Kuan-heng, Liao Wei-hsiang, Huang Chien-hao, and Lo Ting-wei; Yunlin County legislator Ting Hsueh-chung; Taitung County legislator Huang Chien-pin; Hualien County legislator Fu Kun-chi; and the suspended Hsinchu City Mayor Lin Chih-chien.
The CEC stated that, following a stance of administrative neutrality and non-partisanship in electoral affairs, they will not comment on hypothetical issues or cases still in process. For information on the procedure regarding the recall of public officials, the CEC suggests referring to the provisions of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act and the “Recall Introduction” section under the “Election Recall Information” on the CEC website, which offers relevant information for public inquiry.
The youth wing of the Chinese Nationalist Party initiated recall efforts against Democratic Progressive Party legislators Wu Ssu-yao and Wu Pei-yi in Taipei, intensifying their counteraction efforts. KMT Chairman Eric Chu stated today that the KMT does not seek war but is not afraid of it, and if necessary, will fight to end conflicts.
The first stage of recalling elected public officials requires a proposal from the original electoral district voters, with the proposer number exceeding 1% of the total voters in the district. According to Article 81 of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, after passing the first stage, the process enters the second stage, the “petition,” requiring petitions from over 10% of the total voters in the original district. In the third stage of the recall case (voting), the number of affirmative votes must exceed the negative votes, with the affirmative votes reaching over one-fourth of the total voters in the original district.