Taiwan's Election Deposits Criticized as Barrier to Democracy

Taiwan's electoral system faces criticism for a "strange democratic institution" that appears to prioritize financial contributions over a candidate's policy proposals, ideology, or educational background. Wang Wan-yu, chairwoman of the New Power Party, argues that the current "election deposit" system acts as a significant barrier to entry for many aspiring politicians.

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The first thing they do is not ask about your platform, ideology, or education, but ask you for money.

Wang explained that upon registering to run, the first requirement from the Central Election Commission is not an examination of a candidate's platform or vision, but a demand for money. Running for mayor of a special municipality requires a deposit of 1.5 million New Taiwan dollars, while a city council seat demands 200,000 NTD. If a candidate fails to achieve a certain vote threshold, these substantial sums are confiscated by the commission.

According to Wang, this system is uncommon globally. Out of 173 democratic nations, only 20 have such a deposit requirement. Countries like France, Germany, and Canada have even declared the practice unconstitutional. Nations that do require deposits, such as New Zealand and Australia, typically ask for only a symbolic amount. Taiwan's deposit amounts, however, are among the highest internationally.

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This system is called 'election deposit'.

The government's justification for the deposit is to prevent frivolous candidacies. However, Wang countered that she has never encountered a situation with "too many people wanting to run." Instead, she has seen many individuals deterred by the lack of funds and resources. For many, the deposit alone represents several months' salary, creating an invisible threshold. This barrier effectively excludes ordinary people who genuinely wish to serve their communities but lack substantial personal wealth, thereby fostering a system that favors candidates with deeper pockets and hindering the deepening of democracy.

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This threshold filters out not 'better' candidates, but 'richer' candidates.

Wang also noted recent adjustments to these deposits, including a reduction for mayoral candidates from 1.5 million to 1.2 million NTD and for county mayors and city councilors from 200,000 to 160,000 NTD. The Central Election Commission itself has acknowledged that these thresholds are disadvantageous for young people, small parties, and those with economic disadvantages. Wang urged for further reform, calling for a clear calculation formula, a review mechanism, and the abolition of the confiscation rule, advocating for the eventual complete elimination of election deposits.

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Money should not be the key to winning elections.