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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Taiwan Councilor Alleges Vote-Buying at Water Agency Event

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • Taoyuan City Councilor Chan Chiang-tsun alleges that a water resource agency event was used to campaign for a specific candidate.
  • The event, described as a 'local farming water supply exchange activity,' included meals and gift boxes, raising concerns about potential vote-buying.
  • The Taoyuan Management Office of the Water Resources Agency stated that such events have been held for years, and all candidates are welcome to attend and distribute campaign materials.

Taoyuan City Councilor Chan Chiang-tsun has accused the Water Resources Agency's Taoyuan Management Office of using a local farming water supply exchange event to campaign for a specific candidate. The councilor alleged that the event, held from August 3 to 14, featured Democratic Progressive Party mayoral candidate Huang Shih-chieh on stage, with attendees chanting his name and receiving gift boxes.

Whether this constitutes vote-buying.

— Chan Chiang-tsunTaoyuan City Councilor questioning the legality of campaign activities at a government-sponsored event.

Chan questioned whether these activities, which included meals and gifts, constituted vote-buying. He presented a video during a city council meeting showing agency officials on stage with Huang, accompanied by chants of "Huang Shih-chieh, dong-tsai" (a popular slogan). The councilor also asked the police chief if the situation constituted vote-buying.

The water supply exchange activities have been held for many years, and there were souvenirs in previous years as well.

— Taoyuan Management OfficeThe agency's response regarding the nature and history of the events.

The Taoyuan Management Office defended the events, stating they have been held annually for years and typically include gift boxes as souvenirs. They emphasized that the events are open to all candidates, and they would welcome the presence of Mayor Chang San-cheng as well. The office confirmed that candidates have been attending and distributing campaign materials at these gatherings. Police stated they had not recorded the events but would investigate the situation.

If Mayor Chang San-cheng wants to attend, they would also welcome him.

— Taoyuan Management OfficeThe agency's statement on the openness of the events to all political figures.
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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