TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —  Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Tuesday said overseas electronic voting in Taiwan is not possible due to the potential for Chinese interference.

The TPP submitted a referendum last week to allow for certain absentee voting within two years, per CNA. The bill would legalize domestic transfer voting, allowing Taiwanese to vote in referendums or national and local elections outside their registered electoral district.

Cho told lawmakers, "We cannot consider or accept overseas electronic voting at this stage.” He said absentee or electronic voting was not an option due to the risk of voters overseas being subject to "control by foreign hostile forces.” 

DPP Legislator Lin I-chin (林宜瑾) questioned whether the government could allow overseas polling or electronic voting, given China’s attempt to undermine democracy in Taiwan. The government must clearly define absentee and transfer voting, she added.

However, TPP Legislator Lin Kuo-cheng (林國成) clarified that the bill pertains to domestic transfer voting. It does not apply to those residing in China or overseas, Lin said. 

Speaking about domestic voting, Cho said that transfer voting, if implemented, should be limited to national elections. Taiwanese across different regions voting for a specific local race would cause problems, Cho said. 

Transfer voting could first be tested in referendums on specific issues, but not for those running for public office, Cho added. 

Working with the KMT, the TPP managed to get the bill passed to its second reading, despite DPP opposition. 

Central Election Committee Chair Lee Chin-yung (李進勇) told lawmakers the government has been considering absentee voting. However, Lee cautioned against implementing new rules that could affect election stability.