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KMT's Taitung candidate free on bail

A supporter of the Chinese Nationalist Party shakes the hand of candidate for Taitung County commissioner, Wu Chun-li, right, after Wu was released on bail over alleged vote-buying charges yesterday. PHOTO: CHANG TSUN-WEI, TAIPEI TIMES

Taitung Council Speaker Wu Chun-li (吳俊立) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), who is running for the top job in Taitung County as an independent candidate, was released on NT$1million (US$29,800) bail yesterday morning after he was detained on Saturday for questioning as part of a vote-buying investigation.

Taoyuan prosecutors raided the KMT's Taitung branch office on Saturday and seized NT$400,000 in cash and several electoral registers. Prosecutors had suspected that the party was ready to conduct vote-buying for Wu in the build up to Saturday's election. In a bid to to gather more evidence, prosecutors also raided Wu's Taichung Council office and his election headquarters early yesterday morning, seizing more cash.

After the raids, prosecutors immediately summoned Wu for questioning, releasing him on bail at 7am yesterday.

Wu told local reporters that he was innocent and he would continue his campaign after his release.

In response, the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) caucus whip, Jao Yung-ching (趙永清), called on KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday to take immediate action rather than waiting to see if Wu is convicted.

"Bail being set at NT$1 million means this is a serious matter. I don't think prosecutors would impose such a large amount unless they are pretty sure of illegal practices," Jao said.

As many KMT's candidates or their family members are under suspicion of vote-buying, Jao said that Ma must make public his stance on the issue and mete out punishments accordingly.

Apart from Wu, Jao singled out the KMT's candidate in Nantou County, Nantou City Mayor Lee Chao-ching (李朝卿). Lee's wife, Chien Su-tuan (簡素端), is suspected of conducting vote-buying activities on his behalf.

Chien had reportedly been giving out free gifts in order to persuade potential voters to support her husband since July. Chien, however, has denied the allegations and is now out on bail of NT$1.5 million.

Jao, a former KMT member, said that as far as he knows, many KMT local chapters have been conducting vote-buying. Although Wu is running as an independent, he believes that the slush money discovered at the KMT's local chapter is related to Wu's campaign.
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