Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (
He said a recount called for by law could become a convention if there was a slim margin of victory in future elections.
Lee made the remarks at a meeting of the Legislative Yuan's Sci-tech and Information Committee when asked about the ongoing election disputes.
PHOTO: CNA
Lee, who announced his support for President Chen Shui-bian (
"If those doubts cannot be dispelled, Taiwan's society will have a long and difficult way to go," Lee said.
He also reminded the public that the election was over and people should be looking forward.
"Before the election, we already knew that the society was sharply divided because of the election," Lee said. "However, the result was a social reality that the two camps both won around 50 percent of votes."
"As I said before, what counts now is how to make the country move forward, rather than focusing on who was elected," Lee said.
The Nobel laureate said he hope the authorities would be humble and accept different ideas at this moment, expecting the government will adjust its approaches when implementing policies and unite all the people.
He also suggested passage of a law that would allow for a recount if a razor-thing margin of victory occurred. He said a recount under such a conditions should become the norm.
On March 18, Lee announced his support for Chen, saying the president was the best candidate to lead the country's reforms and defeat a counterattack of the "black-gold" forces.
Lee also backed Chen in the 2000 election.
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