KMT Suspends New Taipei Councilor Candidate Hsiao Ching-yen for One Year; Candidacy Unaffected Pending Appeal

In a significant development within the Kuomintang (KMT) party's New Taipei City chapter, candidate Hsiao Ching-yen has been suspended from party membership for one year. The decision, handed down by the KMT's Central Review Committee, comes at a critical juncture, coinciding with the first day of the party's internal polls for the upcoming city council elections in the汐止金山萬里 (Xizhi, Jinshan, Wanli) district.

Hsiao Ching-yen, who is vying for a nomination in the 11th electoral district, has vehemently contested the decision. He has announced his intention to file an appeal and pursue legal recourse, asserting his belief in due process. The timing of the suspension has raised eyebrows, leading to speculation about its potential impact on the primary election.

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In the meantime, the telephone polls from April 13th to 15th will proceed as scheduled and will not be suspended due to the disciplinary case.

However, the KMT's New Taipei City chapter chairman, Huang Chih-hsiung, has sought to clarify the situation. He emphasized that while the disciplinary action has been confirmed, Hsiao Ching-yen retains the right to appeal. Consequently, his candidacy remains unaffected for the time being. The ongoing telephone polls, scheduled from April 13th to 15th, will proceed as planned. Huang assured that after the polls conclude, Hsiao can formally submit his appeal to the central party committee for further review, ensuring that the electoral process continues without undue disruption.

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After the polls are completed, Hsiao Ching-yen can still follow the procedure to file an appeal, and the party central will review it again.