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New Taipei Council Candidate Indicted Over Cash-and-Cake Gifts

1 hour ago

Prosecutors have charged New Taipei City Council candidate Chang Chao-long with election law violations over red envelopes and radish cakes given to voters.

The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office has indicted city council candidate Chang Chao-long (張昭隆), accusing him of breaking election law by handing cash-filled red envelopes and radish cakes to voters ahead of Taiwan's November polls. Chang is running as an independent for a seat on the New Taipei City Council and previously served as a deputy spokesperson for the Taiwan People's Party's New Taipei chapter.

According to prosecutors, Chang turned up at dinners organised for elderly residents between July 7 and Aug. 5, appearing at five community development associations within the district he hopes to represent. The gatherings were spread across the Linkou (林口), Wugu (五股) and Taishan (泰山) districts and two further locations.

At those events, investigators say, Chang gave out red envelopes each holding US$1 along with Hong Kong-style radish cakes worth NT$120 apiece. Prosecutors argue the combined worth of the money and the food went beyond what would pass as an ordinary social courtesy or standard campaign giveaway, and could instead amount to buying votes.

The case moved quickly this month. On Sept. 10, prosecutors joined police and investigators to carry out searches, and they called in Chang together with 74 other people for questioning. Chang was then held in detention and barred from contact with the outside.

Prosecutors say the alleged conduct may breach the Public Officials Election and Recall Act (公職人員選舉罷免法), the statute that governs how candidates campaign and prohibits offering benefits in return for support at the ballot box. The indictment sets the stage for a trial as the district heads toward its November council vote.

Chang Chao-long, New Taipei City Council, Taiwan election law, vote buying Taiwan, Public Officials Election and Recall Act, Taiwan People's Party, November elections Taiwan, New Taipei prosecutors

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