Keelung MP Zhang Fangli cannot be elected due to the addition of anti-gang clauses in the election recall law: It’s really unfair

The Central Election Commission (hereinafter referred to as the Central Election Commission) held a committee meeting today (16th) and reviewed and approved the qualifications of candidates for the 115-year election of mayors, municipal councilors, county (city) mayors and county (city) councilors; Keelung City Renai District Councilor Zhang Fangli was found to be ineligible and canceled her registration as a candidate. Zhang Fangli has been a member of the House of Representatives for the eighth consecutive time, and her pursuit of the ninth consecutive victory has been stopped. Zhang Fangli said in an interview this afternoon, does the prosecution period for an old case from more than 30 years ago last that long? She really wanted to protest, it was really unfair! The retroactive period is not that long? There are still many things to do. If you really can’t choose, don’t let me register in the first place!

The Keelung City Election Committee forwarded the press release of the Central Election Commission stating that one person in Keelung City did not meet the regulations. Zhang Fangli from the 3rd Electoral District (Renai District) committed the crime of Article 143 of the Criminal Law as a voting person in the 1994 Keelung City Council Speaker and Deputy Speaker election. She passed through Keelung, Taiwan. According to the Court's Judgment No. 265 of 2003, he was sentenced to 7 months in prison, deprived of public rights for 2 years, and suspended for 4 years. The Taiwan High Court and the Supreme Court rejected the appeal and confirmed that he was not allowed to register as a candidate in accordance with Article 26, Paragraph 3 of the Public Employee Election and Recall Act.

On May 26, 2023, the Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of the "Law on the Election and Recall of Public Servants" and the amendments to some provisions of the "Law on the Election and Recall of Presidents and Vice Presidents" (commonly known as the "anti-gangster clauses"). It is clear that those who have committed crimes such as bribery (including glutinous rice dumplings, vote bribery), drug trafficking, money laundering, etc. and have been sentenced to probation will not be allowed to register as candidates for life. The Legislative Yuan revised Article 26 of the law again in June 2026, and it will officially come into effect in July 2026. It is understood that the Keelung City Election Committee received reports from the public that Zhang Fangli was involved in the 1994 election bribery case of Speaker Xu Caili, which changed the Renai District election.

Zhang Fangli said that the law is not retroactive, and her prosecution period has already been so long (32 years). It is so harsh to restrict a person with a promising political future in this way; it doesn't matter, since the election will make such a decision, she has no choice but to accept it! I originally wanted to take a rest, but I still have to give an explanation to the voters for what I promised them to do! If this was the case, the Election Committee would not have allowed her to register when she first registered. After the Election Committee registered, the Election Committee would say that her qualifications were not met, and it would cost money to print publicity and election flags. How could it be like this? She really wanted to protest, feeling it was unfair.

Zhang Fangli said helplessly that her supporters also found it baffling. From then on, from 1994 to now, she has been elected all the time, and she has also been the speaker. If she can't be elected, she just forgets it. It doesn't matter, there is nothing she can do. Thank you for your concern!