TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — KMT Legislator Weng Hsiao-ling (翁曉玲) on Wednesday criticized the Central Election Committee for rejecting a legislative proposal to hold a referendum on capital punishment.

Weng argued that it is inappropriate for an executive branch body to veto a referendum initiated by the legislature, per Tai Sounds. She also questioned whether the Judicial Yuan had adequately communicated with the public regarding the Constitutional Court’s September 2024 ruling that affected existing laws on the death penalty.

DPP Legislator Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤) reaffirmed that the death penalty remains constitutional. She accused the opposition of using the referendum issue to divert attention from the ongoing recall campaign targeting lawmakers.

On Tuesday, opposition lawmakers in a legislative committee proposed adding a motion to the June 6 legislative agenda to seek legal recourse against the CEC’s veto, per Up Media. KMT Legislator Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) said the legislature must take a stance, even though the referendum is unlikely to meet the Aug. 23 voting deadline, if the case is resolved in their favor.

The CEC defended its decision Friday, stating that the legality of its veto is unquestionable and that the legislature is not immune from checks and balances, per ETtoday.

Soochow University Law Professor Su Tzu-chiao (蘇子喬) noted that while the referendum itself raises legal questions, the CEC does not appear to have the authority to reject a proposal initiated by the legislature. He urged the committee to steer clear of political entanglements to maintain public trust.