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Election official leaves position after indictment

The Executive Yuan has accepted the resignation of Hsueh Chiu-fa (薛秋發) from his post as acting head of the Taichung City Election Commission after receiving a request from the local election commission, Government Information Office Minister Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) said yesterday.

Hsueh, appointed on Wednesday by the Executive Yuan to replace Hsiao Chia-chi (蕭家旗) -- who was removed over the voting procedure dispute -- tendered his resignation after news of his indictment in a gambling case surfaced earlier yesterday.

NEW REGULATIONS

Hsueh was indicted by prosecutors in connection with the operation of an illegal gambling outfit, making Hsueh ineligible to serve as a member of the election commission under regulations passed late last month.

The changes enacted by the CEC on Dec. 26 stipulated three conditions under which it may request that the Executive Yuan discharge members of local election commissions: when a local election commission member is unable to carry out his or her duties because of illness; is found to have violated laws or committed a dereliction of duty; or is detained or indicted in a case.

The Cabinet did not know about Hsueh's indictment when it chose him for the position, Shieh said, adding that paperwork to appoint him to the commission had been filed before the new regulations were enacted.

As Hsueh no longer qualifies to serve on the local election commission, the Executive Yuan relieved him of the position, Shieh said.

NATIONWIDE REVIEW

Shieh also called on all 25 local election commissions to review whether the new regulations affected any of their members, he said.

"In the meantime, Premier Chang Chun-hsiung [張俊雄] has appointed attorney Tsai Shou-nan [蔡壽男] to replace Hsueh. Tsai has been named the chairman of Taichung City Election Commission to ensure the smooth progress of election preparations," Shieh said.

Hsueh said yesterday he was innocent of the charges against him.

"I have nothing to do with the case. It was a false accusation and I'm an upright business owner," he said. "I resigned because I didn't want to cause any controversy."

His predecessor Hsiao was replaced because he insisted on implementing two-step voting for the Jan. 12 legislative elections and two referendums.

The CEC has ruled that one-step voting will be used, in which voters will receive referendum and election ballots simultaneously.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY LOA IOK-SIN
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