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Presidential election 2008: 20 days to go: JCI Taiwan urges voters to boycott the referendums

The Junior Chamber International Taiwan (JCI Taiwan) urged the public yesterday to boycott the two upcoming referendums on the country's bid to join the UN, which are set to be held alongside the March 22 presidential election.

Making the call during a news conference in Taichung, Shen Po-chang (沈伯璋), JCI Taiwan vice president in charge of international affairs, claimed the referendums were unhelpful to the UN bid because they are only a tool being employed by the parties to try to influence the outcome of the election.

"Although joining the United Nations is the common desire of the whole nation, we will not be able to fulfil the wish whether the referendums are passed or not," Shen said.

He announced that the group would hold a series of events in Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung and Kaohsiung today to promote their campaign to boycott the referendums to ensure "a smooth path" for the presidential election.

Meanwhile, a parade with statues of local deities aimed at promoting the Democratic Progressive Party referendum on the country's bid to join the UN using the name Taiwan arrived in Taipei yesterday.

The parade, kicked off on Friday in Keelung City, aims to promote the referendum on a 13-day round-the-nation tour.

With six balloon statues of deities widely worshipped, including Matsu (媽祖), the goddess of the sea; Hsuan Tien Shan Ti (玄天上帝), who removes demons and evil spirits from people; Kuan Ti (關帝), the god of war and Tu Ti Gong (土地公), the protector of the land and homes, the parade made its way through the main streets of Keelung, filling the city with a ceremonial atmosphere.

"We must work hard together to achieve the goal of entering the United Nations through the blessings of the gods," said Tchen Yu-chiou (陳郁秀), secretary-general of the National Cultural Association which organized the tour.
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