Fierce competition and fake robocalls trigger voter alarm over election law violations

In the upcoming local elections in November, the race for the Yilan County Magistrate has emerged as a focal point of contention between the two major political parties. Lin Guozhang, who has served as the Yilan County Magistrate since his election in 2020, has positioned his administration around "Yilan’s distinct characteristics," aiming to drive local economic growth and enhance social welfare. His approachable demeanor has earned him significant goodwill among voters. In contrast, the Kuomintang (KMT) has adopted "steady governance" as its central slogan, seeking to capture traditional blue-leaning constituencies by emphasizing improvements in local infrastructure and agricultural development. As the election date approaches, campaign activities have intensified, with particularly fierce competition observed in information dissemination and the shaping of public opinion.

Recently, Lin Guozhang took to social media to highlight reports of numerous "fake poll" phone calls circulating in the community. He alleged that these calls contained false accusations against him and employed leading questions designed to influence voters' perceptions of his policies and character. The content of these calls largely focused on his administrative decisions during his tenure, posing questions such as, "Do you agree that Lin Guozhang made a mistake in a specific policy?" to imply negligence or irresponsibility. In his response, Lin stated that once the true source of these calls is identified, he will immediately take legal action. He also urged voters to remain vigilant and avoid being swayed by misinformation.

In response, representatives of the KMT expressed a firm stance. The KMT caucus stated that if evidence confirming the existence of fake poll calls is presented, they will immediately file a lawsuit and request that relevant authorities investigate the matter. The caucus further noted that if such actions constitute illegal conduct, the individuals involved will be pursued for criminal liability. They also called on voters not to be misled. The KMT emphasized that information dissemination during the election period should adhere to principles of truth and transparency, while criticizing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for potentially engaging in improper operational tactics in its election strategy.

From the perspective of legal and electoral regulations, Taiwan’s current election laws provide clear provisions regarding information dissemination during election periods. Under the Election Law and related regulations, no individual may influence voter opinions through false information; violators face fines or criminal liability. Furthermore, if evidence indicates that individuals have intentionally disseminated fake polls or phone messages, relevant departments may prosecute them under the Criminal Code for offenses such as fraud, forgery, or defamation. This enforcement not only safeguards electoral fairness but also respects public trust.

On a broader political and social level, this incident involving fake poll calls underscores the challenges of managing election information in the digital age. With the widespread adoption of social media and instant messaging tools, voters are increasingly susceptible to rapid and easily spread misinformation. Without effective monitoring and investigation, there is a risk that election results could be manipulated or voter sentiment distorted. The government and civil society organizations are gradually strengthening mechanisms for reviewing election information, such as promoting platforms for "election information transparency" and enhancing media literacy education to improve the public’s ability to identify false information.

In conclusion, the fake poll calls cited by Lin Guozhang pose a potential negative impact not only on his personal image but also on overall electoral fairness. The KMT’s immediate response and intention to pursue legal action highlight the intense confrontation between the two parties in the realm of information warfare. In the future, establishing facts through legal procedures and holding responsible parties accountable will help maintain electoral integrity and transparency, thereby reinforcing voter confidence in the democratic system.

(Source: CNA)