Annette Lu unveils reforms for DPP's chairman election

Acting Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairwoman Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) yesterday announced three measures to reform the party's election process for a new chairperson.

She also called on factions within the party not to interfere in members' decisions on which candidate to vote for.

The DPP passed the three resolutions on the election of the party chair during the weekly meeting of its central standing committee yesterday afternoon.

The resolutions are that the party will prohibit local chapters from giving party members a ride to vote in vehicles that can carry more than 10 people; internal factions are prohibited from influencing party members' decisions; and a discussion between candidates and directors of the DPP's party chapters will be held on Sunday.

"This election will be an important indicator for the public on whether the DPP is determined to make a profound reform after we failed in the local elections on Dec. 3," Lu said.

DPP Secretary-General Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋) said that DPP members who violate the first two new rules will be punished.

Those who spread anonymous or hate mail or carry out personal attacks will be penalized too, Lee said.

Meanwhile, in a bid to give DPP members a better understanding of the candidates' election platforms, the DPP will hold two TV presentations that will include question-and-answer sessions with academics and media experts.