Cabinet sends referendum guidelines to election body

Premier Yu Shyi-kun put his stamp of approval on the Referendum Law (公民投票法) and sent guidelines to the Central Election Commission on how handle the nation's first such vote.

Details of the implementation measures are scheduled to be made available today.

The Cabinet also hopes to reach a resolution during a Cabinet meeting early next month on the questions for the "peace referendum" proposed by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).

The Referendum Law stipulates that the president has the right to initiate a referendum to safeguard the sovereignty and security of the nation if the president deems national security is under threat and sovereignty is in jeopardy.

The initiative, however, must also be endorsed by a Cabinet resolution.

Responding to the opposition camp's call to separate the presidential election and the "peace referendum" at the polls, Cabinet Spokesman Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said that it was unnecessary to do so.

"It would set an odd example if it's based on political considerations, and such a practice would be more costly and inconvenient for voters," Lin said. "I'm calling on the opposition alliance to give credence to the government and to respect the Central Election Commission."

Lin also upbraided the opposition bloc for questioning the necessity of the referendum.

"We're perplexed by the opposition camp's accusation that the `peace referendum' is aimed at helping the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The Referendum Law clearly mandates that the president has the right to initiate a referendum to safeguard the sovereignty and security of the nation if he deems the nation is in danger," Lin said.

Lin also blasted Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) for likening Chen's referendum to an act of theft.

"It's unbelievable and unacceptable to learn of such a vitriolic and nearly demented castigation against the head of state from a popularly elected local leader," Lin said.

"It shows not only his misunderstanding of the legislation but also his reactionary and anti-democratic way of thinking. Personally, I feel sorry for him but professionally he set a very bad example for the nation's democratic development," Lin said.