Taiwan Recall Vote Scandal: KMT Activists Face Detention Over Alleged Signature Fraud

Prosecutors in New Taipei Seek to Detain Six Individuals Involved in Recall Petition Irregularities, Sparking Controversy and Heightening Political Tensions

New Taipei, April 16 - In a developing story that has gripped Taiwan's political landscape, prosecutors have moved to detain six individuals allegedly implicated in using fraudulent signatures on recall petition documents. The petitions were part of a Kuomintang (KMT)-backed campaign to remove Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers in New Taipei.

The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office announced its investigation followed reports of falsified personal information on recall petitions targeting DPP lawmakers Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧), Wu Chi-ming (吳琪銘), Chang Hung-lu (張宏陸), and Lee Kuen-cheng (李坤城).

The office has filed a motion with a local court to hold the six individuals incommunicado, on suspicion of criminal forgery and violations of the Personal Data Protection Act. The individuals named include Hsieh Ching-jen (謝慶認), director of the KMT's Banqiao District office; Tsai Kan-tzu (蔡甘子), the KMT party secretary for the district; and Lo Ta-yu (羅大宇), executive director of the KMT's Sanchung District office.

Also facing detention are Ying Ta-hua (應大華), a KMT volunteer; Tan Chen-yao (譚鎮耀), chief petitioner in the recall effort against Su Chiao-hui; and Wang Yu-jen (王昱人), a campaign organizer.

The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office further revealed that 20 individuals were questioned on Tuesday, with coordinated raids conducted at 30 locations, including the suspects' homes, offices, and party branches.

Among those questioned were Hsu Wei-hao (徐偉豪), who led the recall drive against Chang Hung-lu, and Li Ching-hsiang (李清祥), who spearheaded the effort against Wu Chi-ming. Additional figures included Tsai Cheng-jui (蔡承睿), the designated replacement leader in the recall of DPP lawmaker Su Chiao-hui, and Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), who led the recall vote petition drive against Lee Kuen-cheng.

Notably, Sung Chien-liang was seen wearing a Nazi armband and carrying a copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf upon arriving for questioning. He also performed a Nazi salute, although he did not provide a reason for his attire or actions. Sung was later released on NT$80,000 (US$2,463) bail early Wednesday.

The investigation stems from an analysis of data obtained from the Central Election Commission (CEC) and the New Taipei City Election Commission, which identified irregularities in joint-signature petitions, indicating potential violations of the Criminal Code and the Personal Data Protection Act.

The New Taipei prosecutors' actions occurred on the same day that six activists, also suspected of similar crimes, were released on bail by Taipei prosecutors. These activists were involved in KMT-backed campaigns to remove DPP lawmakers Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤) and Wu Pei-yi (吳沛憶).

Taiwan is currently experiencing a surge in recall vote campaigns, with supporters from both the DPP and KMT actively seeking to oust opposing lawmakers. According to the CEC, Taiwanese election law mandates a public recall vote if campaigners collect signatures from 1 percent of district voters in the first round and 10 percent in the second stage of the petitioning process.