Taiwan President Warns of Fake Polls, Opposition Legislator Fires Back

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has warned against Chinese interference in upcoming elections, specifically targeting the spread of fake news and polls. Speaking at a party meeting in Kaohsiung, Lai linked China's "Beidaihe Conference" to election meddling and declared that a mere 1% lead for the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) mayoral candidate, Lai Jui-lung, was a "fake poll."

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Kaohsiung doesn't trust Lai, I don't care if you're Big Lai or Little Lai. No matter if Lai Jui-lung is the first or last batter, I will strike him out and make the New Tide faction collapse.

In response, Kuomintang (KMT) legislator and Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en sharply criticized Lai's statements. "Kaohsiung doesn't trust Lai, I don't care if you're Big Lai or Little Lai," Ko declared, vowing to "strike out" Lai Jui-lung regardless of his position in the party lineup and bring down the New Tide faction. Ko questioned the DPP's logic, stating that any poll showing them leading by only 1% is deemed "fake," while a double-digit lead is considered "real." She accused the DPP of manipulating public opinion and employing absurd tactics.

Ko also challenged the government to present evidence if they suspect Chinese interference. "If there's evidence, prosecute them; if there's no evidence, shut up," she urged. She questioned why the DPP would bring up cross-strait issues in local elections, pointing out that Lai Jui-lung had previously advocated for direct flights between Kaohsiung and Beijing in 2010. Ko also accused Lai Jui-lung of fabricating information about a "capital tax" in the proposed fiscal revenue allocation law amendment, calling him a "caught-in-the-act" offender.

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If there's evidence, prosecute them; if there's no evidence, shut up.

Ko expressed skepticism about the DPP's confidence in their polling numbers, noting that some green camp campaign officials claimed Lai Jui-lung still held a double-digit lead. "If the DPP's polls are so stable, why are they spreading this message now?" Ko asked. She asserted that the KMT has a strong chance to win and that Kaohsiung is not a "private fiefdom" of the DPP. She also refuted Lai's accusations that the KMT blocked the budget and hindered Kaohsiung's development, stating that the KMT was safeguarding public funds and supporting defense autonomy. Ko criticized the DPP for using such tactics to create division and manipulate elections.

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If the DPP's polls are so stable, why are they spreading this message now?