Taiwan's 'Abolish Nuclear Home' Referendum to Cost $800 Million; Vote Count Expected Late

Taiwan's Central Election Commission (CEC) has approved one of three proposed referendums for inclusion in the upcoming year-end general election. The approved referendum, initiated by the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP), is titled "Abolish Nuclear Home."

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The cost for one proposal is estimated to be over 800 million yuan, and the vote counting is estimated to be completed by 11:40 PM.

CEC Chairman You Ying-lung announced the decision following a nearly three-hour committee meeting. He stated that the "Abolish Nuclear Home" referendum is the only one that meets the criteria of "creation or referendum of major policies" as defined by the Referendum Act. The estimated cost for this single referendum is approximately 810 million New Taiwan dollars (NT$810 million), roughly $25 million USD.

Regarding the election night timeline, You Ying-lung projected that vote counting for the referendum, alongside the general election, would likely conclude around 11:40 PM. He expressed "100% confidence" in the CEC's ability to manage the elections smoothly.

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Confidence is one hundred percent, Absolutely!

Two other proposed referendums, "Whipping" by the KMT and "Dedicated Use of Traffic Fines" by the TPP, were rejected. The "Dedicated Use of Traffic Fines" proposal was narrowly defeated with a 4-3 vote among the commissioners. Commissioner Li Li-chung supported it, deeming the policy well-intentioned, while Commissioner Su Tzu-chiao argued the referendum's wording aligned with creating major policies rather than legislative principles or repealing laws.

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The referendum text's content meets the creation of major policies, not the creation of legislative principles, nor the repeal of laws. This is my determination of this matter.