Senior Advisor Chang Po-ya Nominated as CEC Chairperson

Senior Advisor Chang Po-ya Nominated as CEC Chairperson

Source: United Daily News

October 26, 2010

Premier Wu Den-yih nominated Senior Presidential Advisor Chang Po-ya as Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC) to fill the vacancy left by Rai Hau-min, who was sworn in as President of the Judicial Yuan.  Ms. Chang said that she would act fairly and would not show preference to either side of the political spectrum if her nomination was confirmed by the Legislative Yuan.

Chang confirmed that President Ma and Premier Wu had spoken to her about the nomination, but she declined to comment on why she had been chosen, saying that it would be better to ask the President or the Premier the question.

Chang stated that the CEC Chairperson must act in a fair and just manner, should not show preference to either side of the political spectrum, must follow the law, and make decisions based on the law.  She admitted that the CEC would have the heavy burden of overseeing the five Special Municipalities Mayoral elections, the Legislative elections and the 2012 Presidential election.

Chang Po-ya is 68 years old and earned an M.D. from Kyorin University in Japan.  She previously served as mayor of Chia-Yi City and member of the Legislative Yuan.  Chang is a founder of the Non-Partisan Solidarity Union.  She served as Minister of Health in former Premier Hau Pei-tsun’s cabinet, and Minister of Interior in former President Chen Shui-bian’s administration.

Former President Chen Shui-bian later nominated Chang as Vice President of the Examination Yuan, but her nomination failed to be confirmed by the Legislative Yuan.  When President Ma took office, he appointed her as a Senior Presidential Advisor, a post she currently still holds.

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