Candidate for mayor of a certain district in Taitung was detained by prosecutors on suspicion of vote bribery

Gift box confiscated by Taitung Police. (Provided by Taitung District Inspection Bureau)

The Taitung District Prosecutor's Office recently received a report that a candidate for district chief in Taitung City was suspected of giving rice and other gifts to voters with the right to vote, which was suspected of violating the election and recall law for public officials. Prosecutor General Xiao Fangzhou took it very seriously and immediately assigned prosecutor Kang Shuhan to direct the Taitung County Police Department to investigate.

Early this morning, the prosecutor directed a task force to conduct a search in accordance with the law using a search ticket issued by the Taitung District Court, and seized the white rice gift box and other evidence involved in the case. At the same time, a total of 12 people, including the defendant, candidates for the district chief, and witnesses, were summoned to present their explanations.

After interrogating the defendant, the prosecutor found that he was involved in the crime of paying bribes to persons with voting rights under Article 99, Paragraph 1 of the Public Employee Election and Recall Act. The criminal suspicion was serious and there was a risk of colluding with witnesses. It was difficult to pursue prosecution without being detained. He was arrested in accordance with the law tonight and requested the court to prohibit detention.

This office appeals to the public that elections are the cornerstone of democratic politics. Buying votes with money or items is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Those who sell votes and accept bribes are also criminally liable. People must not defy the law.