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Premier promises immediate action to tackle vote-buying

Calling the instances of vote-buying uncovered during the legislative elections a "humiliation to the country's democracy," Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) has vowed to follow up on the 4,688 reported cases without delay.

Chang made the remarks at Wednesday's weekly Cabinet meeting, where officials from the ministries involved in the elections provided their account of the process.

"In no way will we stop investigating the vote-buying cases because the elections are over. Heavy sentences shall be given to people involved in those activities, irrespective of their affiliations or identity," Chang said.

He also urged prosecutors not to delay their investigations.

Meanwhile, Chang instructed the Central Election Commission to conduct a review of the legislative elections and start preparations for the March 22 presidential election.

Commenting on the news that only 26 percent of eligible voters had taken part in the two referendums held alongside the elections, Chang said: "It is regrettable that so many people would waive their right to vote in the referendums."

"I hope Taiwanese will cherish their hard-earned democracy next time they are given a chance to vote in a referendum," he said.

Chang said the legislative elections had demonstrated that Taiwan is an energetic democracy, but added that the results had brought challenges to the nation's young democracy that should be taken seriously.
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