The Central Election Commission (CEC) yesterday reminded the public that no campaigning is allowed after midnight, with offenders subject to a fine of up to NT$5 million (US$161,786).
A day before voters were set to cast ballots for the heads of cities and counties and other local offices, CEC Chairman Lee Chin-yung (李進勇) told a news conference in Taipei that all “public campaigning activities,” such as open rallies, had to end by 10pm yesterday.
No election activities — public or private — would be allowed after midnight, and violators would face fines ranging from NT$500,000 to NT$5 million, Lee said.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
Given the popularity of social media, CEC Deputy Chairman Chen Chao-chien (陳朝建) reminded people that they are prohibited from displaying on social media profile pictures that deliver an election message after midnight.
Those who do could also be fined up to NT$5 million, Chen said.
In addition to the local elections, voters are to cast their ballots in a referendum to lower the voting age to 18 from 20.
Lee said that anybody other than candidates in the elections would still be allowed to post messages supporting their positions on the referendum today, but information on a candidate cannot be used in any messages on the referendum.
More than 11,000 positions at all levels of local governments will be up for grabs today.
Those eligible to vote can cast ballots from 8am to 4pm. The CEC did not say when the results of the different races would come out, but Lee said the commission would try its best to complete the vote count by the end of today.
There will be 17,649 polling stations across the nation staffed by more than 300,000 election workers to ensure a smooth voting process and the quick counting of ballots, Lee said.
Voters are not allowed to take ballots out of the polling stations or they will face a jail term of up to one year or a fine of up to NT$15,000, Lee said.
A total of 19.13 million Taiwanese are eligible to vote in the elections, including 760,000 first-time voters, while a total of 19.24 million can vote in the referendum, the CEC said.
However, those who tested positive for COVID-19 from Monday onward are not allowed to vote, as they have to isolate for five days.
At a separate news conference, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) estimated that about 65,000 citizens with COVID-19 would not be able to exercise their right to vote due to the five-day isolation mandate.
Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Victor Wang (王必勝), head of the CECC, said that while more than 66,000 cases had been reported from Tuesday to yesterday, an estimated 10,000 more cases reported today would bring the total to 80,000 people who would be undergoing five-day isolation on election day.
As about 80 percent of these people have the right to vote, that means about 65,000 would be unable to cast their ballots, Wang said.
Asked if there would be many hidden cases who did not report their condition in order to vote, Wang dispelled the concern, saying that the total number of infections this week is expected to be between 105,000 and 110,000, which is in line with the declining trend so far.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RSS