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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

"Di Ye Gong" Blesses Nantou: Authorities Launch Anti-Vote-Buying Campaign

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Taiwan authorities launched an anti-vote-buying campaign ahead of local elections.
  • The campaign, held at a temple dedicated to Xuan Tian Shang Di, emphasized justice and integrity in the democratic process.
  • Officials highlighted rewards for reporting bribery and urged public participation in ensuring fair elections.

Taiwanese authorities have initiated a robust campaign to combat vote-buying and electoral fraud as the year-end local elections approach. The initiative, a collaboration between the Nantou County Government and judicial, investigative, and police agencies, commenced with a public ceremony at the Shou Tian Palace, a temple revered for its deity Xuan Tian Shang Di, also known as "Di Ye Gong."

County Deputy Secretary-General Jian Qingsong emphasized the symbolic significance of Xuan Tian Shang Di, who is depicted with a sword and accompanied by a turtle and snake, representing the vanquishing of evil and the upholding of justice. He stated that combating vote-buying is a crucial embodiment of this spirit, essential for safeguarding the foundation of democratic politics.

Xuan Tian Shang Di holding a seven-star sword and stepping on a turtle and snake represents the spirit of vanquishing demons and upholding justice.

— Jian QingsongNantou County Deputy Secretary-General Jian Qingsong speaking at the anti-vote-buying campaign launch.

The campaign, themed "Xuan Tian Shang Di Blesses the People, Fair Elections Protect Nantou," incorporated traditional rural elements like pounding rice. Participants donned symbolic farmer's hats and shattered balloons inscribed with terms such as "vote-buying," "gambling syndicates," "fake news," "foreign influence," "violence," and "ghost population." This act symbolized the authorities' firm resolve to eradicate corruption and illegal activities.

Nantou District Prosecutor's Office Chief Prosecutor Zhou Shiyu announced that the highest reward for reporting vote-buying is NT$20 million (approximately $650,000 USD). Since 2022, the office has already disbursed NT$5.325 million (approximately $173,000 USD) in rewards. Citizens can report suspicious activities via a dedicated hotline or the prosecutor's office's official Line account.

If you discover vote-buying or other acts that disrupt the election, you can call the tip-off hotline 0800024099, press 4 after connecting, or add our official Line account to directly send investigation information.

— Zhou ShiyuNantou District Prosecutor's Office Chief Prosecutor Zhou Shiyu providing details on how to report electoral offenses.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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