“Chairman Ma supported and encouraged members who resigned to state their innocence and rebuild the credibility of the CSC,” he said.
Lee Chien-jung dismissed concerns that Ma was behind several members’ decision to quit, but added that the KMT would have to hold a large-scale by-election if enough CSC members resign and the weekly meeting did not have enough people attending.
He said “the chairman has no right to initiate a re-election or by-election, and cannot force any members to quit their seats.”
According to KMT regulations, the CSC should meet with the presence of at least half its members, including the chairman, six vice chairmen, five designated members and 32 elected members. The party can hold a re-election if 23 CSC members resign.
Ma gathered party officials later on Thursday night to discuss the matter, but decided not to initiate a re-election as party regulations did not give the chairman the authority to do so.
Were a re-election to be held, it would be the first in KMT history.
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