TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Cabinet on Monday announced a slate of nominees to fill long-standing vacancies at the Central Election Commission, including pollster You Ying-lung (游盈隆) as chair and legal scholar Hu Po-yen (胡博硯) as vice chair, with all appointments subject to legislative approval, per CNA.
The CEC currently has only four members out of a statutory maximum of 11, leaving it unable to convene meetings or pass resolutions. Regulations require at least five members to hold a meeting, and according to regulations, the premier is required to nominate and appoint new members three months before the expiration of the current terms.
The Cabinet also nominated former Legislator Huang Wen-ling (黃文玲), former Taoyuan Mayor Chen Tsung-yi (陳宗義), China University of Science and Technology Vice President Lee Li-chung (李禮仲), Fooyin University Professor Su Jia-hong (蘇嘉宏), and Soochow University Professor Su Tzu-chiao (蘇子喬) as commissioners.
Cabinet Spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said that Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) sought recommendations from both ruling and opposition parties, emphasizing a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical experience as key criteria for nominations.
Lee said Lee Li-chung and Su Jia-hong were recommended by the opposition KMT, while Su Tzu-chiao was recommended by the Taiwan People’s Party. Once administrative procedures are completed, the full list will be submitted to the legislature for confirmation.
If approved, the commissioners would serve until Nov. 3, 2029. Lee expressed hope that the confirmation process would proceed smoothly to ensure the orderly conduct of future election-related work.
The nominations drew cautious responses from opposition parties, which currently control the legislature, per CNA.
KMT caucus secretary-general Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) said the party would review the nominees in accordance with legislative procedures, with findings submitted to a caucus meeting to determine the voting stance of its lawmakers. He stressed that the CEC, which oversees national elections, must uphold electoral neutrality as a fundamental requirement for all nominees.
TPP caucus leader Chen Chih-han (陳智菡) described the nominations as “better late than never,” noting that the CEC has operated with vacancies for an extended period and should welcome qualified candidates as soon as possible.
Chen said the TPP caucus would conduct a rigorous review in line with its legal authority, maintaining impartiality to ensure fairness, neutrality, and objectivity in election administration.
She added that the terms of six CEC commissioners expired on Nov. 3, leaving the commission unable to meet or handle key matters. Chen said Premier Cho had pledged to fill the vacancies by mid-November but only submitted nominations at the end of December, calling the delay a breach of that promise.
Despite concerns over delays and what she described as a rushed nomination process, Chen said the TPP would proceed with a professional review and support the CEC in carrying out election work.
As for You’s nomination as CEC chair, he is a former member of the DPP but has frequently criticized the party's leadership during his tenure at the polling organization, Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation. Observers have said his record of independent views could bolster his chances of confirmation by the opposition-controlled legislature.
