News of the Week (Dec. 13-19, 2007)

News of the Week

(Dec. 13-19, 2007)

1.The Central Election Commission (CEC) Secretary-General Teng Tien-yu said at the Judicial Committee, Legislative Yuan on Dec. 17, “Although the CEC has decided to adopt the ‘one-stop’ voting procedure, ballots will still be valid under the ‘two-stop’ voting procedure.”

However, Teng’s remarks were dismissed by CEC Chairman Chang Cheng-hsiung as personal opinion the following day. Chang stressed that “the CEC will stick to the ‘one-stop’ voting procedure.”

“The situation of ‘one country, two systems’ would not be allowed for the voting procedure in the upcoming elections,” added Chang.

Chang went further to say, “After the elections, if no election lawsuit is filed, whether the elections are valid or not will be ruled on by the CEC. It is a determination that the CEC will make one week after the elections, not prior to the elections.”

2. KMT Presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou said on Dec. 18, “The CEC Secretary-General’s remarks in the Legislative Yuan were rebutted by the CEC Chairman. This was clearly a politically motivated move .”

“In 2004, President Chen was elected under the ‘Two-Stop’ voting procedure. The controversies regarding the CEC have highlighted the need for the legitimization of the CEC through legislation for it to become an independent agency,” added Ma.

3.KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung said on Dec. 18, “The plebiscite and the legislative elections should be held separately, which can only be decided by the CEC. However, the supposedly neutral CEC has now become a politically controlled tool.”

Wu went further to say, “The DPP has done everything it could to prevent the legitimization of the CEC through legislation by blocking a vote on the bill in the Legislative Yuan. It has also taken firm control of the CEC. Moreover, the DPP has tied the plebiscite to the legislative elections. Now, it is possible that the legislative elections will be destroyed by the plebiscite.”

Wu stressed,” The KMT will stick to the ‘two-stop’ voting procedure. If any conflict occurs during the elections, it is the DPP that should take the responsibility.”

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