■POLITICS
Would-be mayor files lawsuit
Huang Shih-yin (黃石吟), an independent politician who planned to run for mayor in Chiayi County’s Dongshih Township (東石), filed a lawsuit yesterday against Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairman Lai Hao-min (賴浩敏) and Chiayi County Election Commission Chairman Wu Jung-huei (吳容輝) for blocking his candidacy. He was barred by the CEC for non-payment of a fine for a criminal offense committed before he signed up to run in the election. On Tuesday the county election commission approved his candidacy based on the premise that Huang’s political rights should be protected. However, the CEC annulled that approval later the same day. Huang filed the lawsuit after the county election commission declined to allow him to draw a number yesterday. Both CEC Secretary-General Teng Tien-yu (鄧天祐) and Wu said they would respect Huang’s judicial rights.
■LEGISLATION
Committee approves review
The legislature’s Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee yesterday approved a preliminary review of a provisional decree of government restructuring but left the controversial articles for cross-party negotiations before the bill proceeds to the plenary legislative session for debate. The committee approved the preliminary review of the provisional bill governing the adjustments of the Executive Yuan’s functions and organizations during its reorganization project. Among the controversial issues is the civil servants’ retirement program. Under the Executive Yuan and Examination Yuan proposal, civil servants meeting certain requirements would be eligible for early retirement between June 1 and Dec. 31 next year, with monetary incentives.
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