The Ministry of the Interior over the weekend reminded potential voters in next year’s presidential and legislative elections not to bring cellphones or cameras into polling stations, saying the offense was punishable by up to one year in jail plus a NT$30,000 fine.
The violation will be penalized according to the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act (總統副總統選舉罷免法), which stipulates heavier punishment for such offenses than the Public Officials Election and Recall Act (公職人員選罷法), ministry officials said.
Both laws are involved in the organization of the combined elections, but various discrepancies exist between the two laws with regard to similar offenses.
Under the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, violators of the cellphone and camera bans face only a fine of between NT$30,000 and NT$300,000, without a prison term.
The ministry decided to follow the harsher law after discussions with authorities, the officials said.
In the event of a candidate registering for both elections, the ministry will also follow the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act and invalidate the person’s candidacy for the legislative elections, the officials said.
Meanwhile, voter entry to -polling stations will be governed by the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, officials said.
The law states that when more than one election is held at the same time, voters should cast their votes at one time and are not allowed to enter the polling stations again after they have left.
Also, the ministry will require barrier-free facilities at the polling stations in accordance with the law, the officials said.
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