CEC Reported Referendum Against Air Pollution After Passing It|反空汙公投死者連署 中選會送檢偵辦

A referendum on reducing air pollution was cleared at the Central Election Commission (CEC) on Oct. 2. However, the commission has also asked the High Prosecutors Office to investigate the alleged fake signatures in the proposal. This simultaneous passing and reporting of the proposal has drawn criticism from both major parties. The commission chairperson Chen Ying-Chien responded on Oct. 3 that the commission simply acted in accordance to the law.


A referendum on reducing air pollution, proposed by opposition KMT Legislator Lu Shiow-yen, cleared the reviewing process at the Central Election Commission (CEC) on October 2. However, the CEC deemed 11,849 signatures as ones that are fabricated with names of the deceased, and has asked the High Prosecutors Office to step in and investigate. The CEC's move has drawn criticism from both major parties. CEC Chair Chen Ying-chien stressed during an interview that he will not back down despite the incoming criticisms.

That's right, I'm stupid. Our public servants have acted in accordance to The Code of Criminal Procedure and have rightfully reported the case. (The public servants have suspected falsehood in the signatures.) (If the documents were indeed falsified, you should report the case.) (Otherwise, you would…) I would've not done my job properly.

Chen Ying-chien stressed that the CEC only acted in accordance to the criminal code, and will report all future referendum proposals to law enforcement agencies if any falsification is suspected. Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators believe that, on top of the suspected falsification of signatures, opposition KMT has also faked the CEC receipts. They asked KMT Legislator Lu Shiow-yen to publicly apologize for the matter.

Some of the 11,849 signatures are from deceased people. This is 100 percent an act of falsification. Lu Shiow-yen needs to clarify the situation and apologize for the incident.

Many have doubts about the neutrality of the Central Election Commission, and whether they are capable of conducting referendums in a fair and balanced manner. I suggest that Chairperson Chen act in a manner that's brave and firm in order to portray an image of strong and trustworthiness.

Lu Shiow-yen believes that DPP legislators kept attacking her proposal because she has garnered a lot of support as a candidate. She believes that the public will judge the matter fairly.