Independent legislator proposes reform

Election rules, long under criticism for fostering maverick office-seekers, became the focus of a partisan debate yesterday, as opposition lawmakers made it their goal to push for reform before the incumbent legislature expires.

Led by independent legislator-elect Sisy Chen (陳文茜), the group sought to introduce a single-member district, two-ballot system under which a constituency can elect only one representative to the legislature.

In addition, voters will be allowed to cast two ballots: one for their favorite candidate and the other for their favorite party to enhance the legitimacy of seats won through proportional representation.

The ruling DPP, however, expressed reservations about the proposed reform, having its own reform agenda. It prefers a broader but incremental approach that would cut the size of the legislature in half, in addition to amending the electoral system by the end of next year.

"Between now and the end of January stands a big window of opportunity to pass the reform," Chen said at a morning news conference.

"There will be little resistance to the proposal as many sitting lawmakers are due to step down." Several well-liked lawmakers have blamed their failure at the polls last Saturday on what they called a flawed electoral system under which a constituency may elect as many as 10 legislators with voters allowed to cast only one ballot.

Senior KMT lawmaker Ting Shou-chung (丁守中), for one, contended that the current election rules encourage candidates to use bizarre and extreme tactics to boost their campaign.

"As long as candidates place themselves among the front runners, they can win a seat in the legislature," Ting said.

But in a single-member district, he added, contestants will be forced to embrace a moderate platform, as there is only one winner in each constituency.

Ting failed to retain his seat in the northern district of Taipei City, though he had the lead according to assorted opinion polls before the election.

New Party legislator Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆), who also attended the press conference, echoed the need for reform.

He said the planned reform is both desirable and practical, as it does not call for any constitutional amendment.

KMT legislative leader Lee Cheng-chong (李正宗) said his caucus would give its go-ahead to the bill when it is introduced.

"The KMT has advocated a single-member district, two-ballot system for years," Lee said. "If all parties agree, I don't see why we can't pass the legal revision."

Chen, whose aides are drafting the bill, said she will call on the DPP caucus next week to seek its support.

But the DPP legislative leader Lin Feng-hsi (林豐喜) said he will withhold his endorsement from the proposal as it fails to address the issues the ruling party considers more urgent.

He said the DPP finds it more relevant to cut the seats of the legislature from 225 to 120 before the next legislative elections to improve the body's quality and efficiency.

To that end, the party unveiled a three-stage reform package under which DPP lawmakers will seek to introduce internal rules aimed at eliminating conflict of interest by the end of this year.

The party hopes to launch a campaign in February of next year devoted to downsizing the legislature through a constitutional reform.

"If all goes as planned, we will then push for legislation to regulate political parties, political donations and political lobbying," said DPP lawmaker Lee Wen-chung (李文忠). He dismissed as reckless the electoral reform put forth by the opposition camp.