Taiwan Election Commission Rejects Two Referendums, Lawmaker Cries 'Administrative Dictatorship'

Taiwan's Central Election Commission has rejected two of three referendum proposals submitted by the Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party for the year-end elections. Only the proposal to "Abolish the Nuclear-Free Homeland" was approved, while proposals for "Whipping Punishments" and "Dedicated Use of Traffic Fines" were denied.

Kuomintang legislator Lee Yen-hsiu vehemently criticized the commission's decision, labeling it "oligarchic rule and administrative dictatorship." She argued that the rejection, particularly the "Dedicated Use of Traffic Fines" proposal which was reportedly denied by a single vote, effectively confiscated the constitutional rights of Taiwan's 23.5 million citizens. Lee asserted that this action fundamentally violates the spirit of constitutionalism.

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oligarchic rule and administrative dictatorship

"What is the Taiwan public asking, what is the Central Election Commission afraid of?" Lee questioned. She challenged the commission to explain whether the rejected proposals violated regulations on "creation or referendum of major policies," failed to meet the political expectations of specific parties, or conflicted with the personal ideologies and values of the commission members.

Lee accused the commission of using "administrative review" to strip citizens of their constitutionally guaranteed right to express opinions. She likened the situation to a decree stating, "Only what I approve, can the people vote on." Lee concluded that such actions are unacceptable to the public and leave a shameful stain on Taiwan's democratic politics.

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Only what I approve, can the people vote on