The National Police Administra-tion (NPA) yesterday inaugurated an electronic command center designed to help the police maintain public order nationwide before, during and after today's election and referendum.
NPA Director-General Chang Si-liang (
Chang held a teleconference with authorities from police headquarters throughout the nation to gain a better understanding of their local security situation on the eve of today's election.
He instructed police authorities around the nation to prepare themselves for any contingencies in the event of scuffles or post-election riots.
Chang said the electronic command center will help police to monitor public order nationwide in real time.
A senior police official said "one could hardly imagine what frantic supporters might do" with campaigning so close.
One fanatical supporter of President Chen Shui-bian (
The man, surnamed Hsu, remained there for seven hours demanding to talk to a reporter from CNN until he finally gave himself up to police.
"I hope Chen could be re-elected. He may lose," he said as he was led away.
Meanwhile, officers from the NPA's public security division said that in light of reports that international terrorists have included Taiwan as a possible target, the administration has heightened surveillance nationwide, particularly in public places.
Surveillance of public transportation systems, infrastructure systems, airports and seaports will also be stepped up, officials said.
In related news, police said they are investigating nearly 2,000 cases of violence and bribery to try to influence the election, but have declined to specify the number of allegations made against each camp in the nation's two-horse race.
Officers said they did not believe the candidates, Chen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (
"The suspects were found to have offered gifts, cash and free trips to voters in return for their support in Saturday's presidential polls," said Commissioner Hou Yo-yi (
People convicted of vote-buying can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined up to NT20 million (US$600,000).
The authorities are offering rewards of up to NT$15 million to anyone who can prove a presidential candidate was buying votes.
A NT$39 receipt for two bottles of tea at a FamilyMart was among the NT$10 million (US $312,969) special prize winners in the January-February uniform invoice lottery. FamilyMart said that two NT$10 million-winning receipts were issued at its stores, as well as two NT$2 million grand prizes and three NT$200,000 first prizes. The two NT$10 million receipts were issued at stores in Pingtung County and Yilan County’s Dongshan Township (冬山). One winner spent just NT$39 on two bottles of tea, while another spent NT$80 on water, tea and coffee, the company said. Meanwhile, 7-Eleven reported three NT$10 million winners — in New Taipei
Considering that most countries issue more than five denominations of banknotes, the central bank has decided to redesign all five denominations, the bank said as it prepares for the first major overhaul of the banknotes in more than 24 years. Central bank Governor Yang Chin-lung (楊金龍) is expected to report to the Legislative Yuan today on the bank’s operations and the redesign’s progress. The bank in a report sent to the legislature ahead of today’s meeting said it had commissioned a survey on the public’s preferences. Survey results showed that NT$100 and NT$1,000 banknotes are the most commonly used, while NT$200 and NT$2,000
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday reported the first case of a new COVID-19 subvariant — BA.3.2 — in a 10-year-old Singaporean girl who had a fever upon arrival in Taiwan and tested positive for the disease. The girl left Taiwan on March 20 and the case did not have a direct impact on the local community, it said. The WHO added the BA.3.2 strain to its list of Variants Under Monitoring in December last year, but this was the first imported case of the COVID-19 variant in Taiwan, CDC Deputy Director-General Lin Ming-cheng (林明誠) said. The girl arrived in Taiwan on
ANNUAL EVENT: Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in Daan Park, with an event zone operating from 10am to 6pm This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park today and tomorrow, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a themed food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday. Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm, it said. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs, it added. People could also try the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area, the department said. Three PokeStops are
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