Taiwanese Lawmakers Debate Election Ban for Those Serving Alternative Sentences
Quick Look
- Taiwan's legislature is considering amending the Public Officials Election and Recall Act to allow individuals serving alternative sentences, such as community service, to run for office.
- This proposed change, seen by some as tailored for Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an, has sparked debate.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an faces a defamation case and has appealed a six-month sentence. The Taiwan People's Party is pushing for amendments to the Public Officials Election and Recall Act that could allow individuals serving alternative sentences, like community service, to run for office.
欲爭取連任的新竹市長高虹安「誣告」旅美教授陳時奮案,二審被判有期徒刑6月,案件已上訴最高院,雖誣告案不得易科罰金,但可經檢察官同意改以「社會勞動方式」代替入監。
民眾黨近日卻提出「選罷法」修法欲讓服社會勞動者也可參選,遭疑是為高虹安量身打造,此案在4月23日送出內政委員會交付協商,待一個月冷凍期屆滿,藍白最快可於本週利用人數優勢將法案排入院會表決三讀。
立法院內政委員會4月23日在審查「公職人員選罷法第26條」朝野針對放寬「受緩刑宣告者」參選限制達成共識,但因民眾黨堅持將易刑處分者(如易科罰金、社會勞動等)也納入解套範圍,導致該條文送朝野協商。
內政委員會5月19日召開朝野協商時,民眾黨立委許忠信再次提出,在第九款增加但書「宣告緩刑或得直接、間接易服社會勞動自由刑者不在此限」,最終討論1小時許朝野沒有共識,決議再由立法院長韓國瑜擇期召開協商。
民進黨內政委員會委員張宏陸受訪時說,易刑處分有很多面向,包含易科罰金、易服勞役、社會勞動等,其中服勞役是需要在監獄內工作,因此立法上若沒有說得很清楚就會有問題。
他強調,目前這個問題沒有急著現在一定要處理,除非是為了某個事情要急著處理,大家一定會覺得是為了高虹安,但高只是所有人之一,若修法通過屆時影響範圍很大,會讓社會質疑「這樣的人也可以嗎」,立法應該更周延。
在行政部門方面,內政部表示,民眾黨黨團提案增列排除受易刑處分者不得登記為候選人之限制一節,因易刑處分,如易科罰金或易服社會勞動僅為有期徒刑執行方式之替代手段,如未執行完畢,自應視為有期徒刑執行未畢,將其列入但書允許渠等登記為候選人之合理性,有待商榷。
中選會也認為,受有期徒刑以上刑之判決確定,如果有未執行易科罰金或不得易服社會勞動者,其情節與同條款「判處有期徒刑以上之刑確定,尚未執行、執行未畢」相同,如得登記為候選人,似有未宜。
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The proposed amendment to the Public Officials Election and Recall Act will be put to a vote in the Legislative Yuan.
Very likely · Within weeks
The amendment will face significant public and political debate regarding its implications for electoral integrity.
High likelihood · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the proposed amendment pass the legislative vote?
- What are the specific implications of allowing individuals with alternative sentences to run for office?
- Will the proposed amendment be seen as a loophole for specific politicians?
- What are the potential societal reactions if the law is amended?

