Taiwan Recall Petition Scandal: Allegations of Forgery Rock Political Landscape

KMT Members Face Questioning Over Alleged Signature Fraud in Recall Efforts Against DPP Legislators

Authorities in Taiwan are investigating allegations of signature forgery and fraud related to recall efforts against two Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators, throwing a spotlight on the practices of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).

Following a probe into the KMT's recall campaign, prosecutors questioned six individuals, including one elderly KMT member and five KMT Youth League associates. The investigation stems from complaints of forged signatures and other irregularities.

Taipei Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kao I-shu (高一書) reported that prosecutors received complaints, including a petition with 1,748 signatures from deceased voters and those who claimed their names were used without consent. Prosecutors stated that the KMT members could face charges under the Personal Data Protection Act (個人資料保護法) and the Public Officials Election and Recall Act (公職人員選舉罷免法).

DPP spokesman Justin Wu (吳崢) accused the KMT of systematically using old party membership lists, creating a false impression of widespread support for removing the DPP legislators.

The implicated KMT members are alleged to have compiled petitions by copying names from party lists without the consent of the individuals, potentially violating personal data protection laws.

The authorities searched for evidence, summoning individuals for questioning, including Chang Ke-jin (張克晉), an arts teacher and senior KMT member leading the recall efforts against DPP legislators Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) and Wu Pei-yi (吳沛憶).

Other individuals questioned included Lee Hsiao-liang (李孝亮), Liu Szu-yin (劉思吟), Lai Yi-jen (賴苡任), Man Chih-kang (滿志剛), and Chen Kuan-an (陳冠安). Witnesses included Liu's husband and Lee's mother, the latter alleging that her son was pressured by the KMT.

The questioning continued at the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office. The KMT has announced that it has hired a team of defense lawyers to assist Chang and the five KMT Youth League members.

Separately, the Central Election Commission revealed that 41 out of 61 recall petitions examined by last Friday contained forgeries or signatures of deceased individuals. The commission is referring 39 of these petitions to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office for a judicial investigation.