Taiwan politicians who run without leaving the party face discipline, Chang Shuhua and Chou Chiyang say they accept it

Chang Shuhua and Chou Chiyang are seeking seats on Taichung City Council without first leaving the Kuomintang, even though the party says members who run without its nomination face disciplinary action.

The registration deadline for the city’s fifth-term council election was Thursday. Five Kuomintang members who did not receive the party’s nomination still chose to run. Three of them resigned before registering, while Chang, a former deputy head of the party’s Taichung branch, registered Wednesday for the Taiping district. Chou, a political newcomer, registered Thursday.

Both said they would not resign voluntarily because of their attachment to the party. Chang said he had been unable to find a reason to leave. He also said he had worked hard for the Kuomintang during the Democratic Progressive Party’s recall campaign and had hoped the party would give newcomers an opportunity.

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Respect

Chang said he had followed the party’s request to avoid arguing or making trouble and still hoped it would give him a chance. If the party ultimately decided to punish him, he said he would respect the decision. Chou, who is running in the Southeast district, expressed the same position and said he would respect the party’s handling of the matter.

The Taichung Kuomintang nominated candidates for 34 council seats. The three other non-nominated members who registered after resigning are Lin Ying-cheng, running in the Southeast district, Dali borough chief Cheng Po-chi, running in the Dali-Wufeng district, and Taiping borough chief Yen Tai-li, running in Taiping.

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Respect