Rewards ranging from NT$500,000 to NT$15 million will go to people whose tips lead to an arrest of alleged vote-buyers during the March presidential election, Minister of Justice Chen Ding-nan (
"Cracking down on bribery is not only law enforcement officers' job but everybody's," Chen said. "It is not difficult at all to earn some extra money by helping us crack down bribery. All you need to do is pay more attention to suspicious vote captains who are trying to buy votes."
Chen made the announcement during a "welcome back" ceremony at the ministry yesterday -- the first day back at work for ministry staffers after after the Lunar New Year. During the ceremony, Chen emphasized again his determination to crack down on drugs and crime, especially bribery.
PHOTO: WANG YI-SUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Chen gave the public some tips on how to take part in the bribery crackdown.
"The key is who, what, when, where and how," Chen said. "These details can be found easily in our daily lives if somebody is trying to buy votes."
The minister said candidates may try to buy votes by giving away cash or items such as soup, shampoo or cooking utensils, by treating supporters to free trips at home or abroad or by offering free tickets to concerts or shows.
"There are tons of different things they can do to buy votes. More than you can imagine," Chen said.
"The best way to crack down on vote-buying is to cut off all the possibilities and connections for potential vote-buyers and that is what we are trying to do," he said.
Chen said fingerprints are crucial evidence for arresting suspects.
"If somebody gives you money or gifts in return for your support, all you need to do is keep that money or that gift with the fingerprints and report [the incident] to your local law enforcement offices and you will stand a good chance of being eligible for a reward," he said.
In addition, Chen urged people to record conversations with vote buyers or make sure there is a third party witnessing the conversation.
"Our hope and priority is to maintain a clean presidential election this year," the minister said.
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