Eleven election candidates apply for police body armor amid soaring security concerns

As the Nine-in-One local elections enter the white-hot final countdown, electoral competition across Taiwan has intensified, with rallies and street-campaign schedules reaching their peak. Security and the protection of candidates' safety during the final stretch of the election have become core issues of high concern among all sectors of society and legislators. During the latest Legislative Yuan interpellation session, lawmakers questioned officials in detail regarding the overall security deployment for polling day, particularly focusing on personal safety protection measures for candidates and police preparedness for potential emergencies.

In response to the lawmakers' questions and concerns, National Police Agency Director-General Chang Jung-hsing provided a clear response and statistical data during the meeting. Chang stated that as the risk of electoral conflict and security demands increase, a total of eleven candidates across Taiwan have formally applied to the police for the provision and wearing of bulletproof vests. This data highlights that the competitive dynamic in certain constituencies is indeed quite tense, with candidates and their campaign teams maintaining a high level of vigilance regarding personal safety during public itineraries. The demand for bulletproof vests also reflects the specific security pressures that accompany the democratic electoral process.

Addressing the applications for bulletproof vests from eleven candidates, National Police Agency Director-General Chang Jung-hsing emphasized during the interpellation that the police uphold the highest standards and treat all candidates equally when handling personal safety protection. For candidates who have submitted applications, local police departments and assigned bodyguards will conduct professional assessments and properly allocate equipment to ensure that protective gear, such as bulletproof vests, can serve its substantive protective role. In addition to personal protection for specific individuals, the police have also comprehensively reviewed various security plans to ensure that candidates are kept completely secure during vote-seeking campaigns, rallies, and other public events.

Beyond the personal safety protection of candidates, overall security operations in the final stage of the Nine-in-One elections represent a massive and complex systematic undertaking. Chang pointed out that as polling day approaches, the National Police Agency has ordered all police agencies nationwide to comprehensively step up public order purification work within their jurisdictions, launching strong crackdowns on vote-buying, violent interference in elections, illegal gambling syndicates, and various illicit activities that could affect electoral fairness and social order. The police will make the most prudent planning and allocation of limited and precious police resources to ensure that public order remains stable during the campaign period and on voting day.

Regarding specific duty planning for polling day, the police shoulder the heavy responsibility of maintaining voting order, protecting the safety of ballots, and preventing sudden disturbances. Chang explained that the police deployment and patrol networks for each polling station have completed initial planning, and the police will maintain the closest contact and coordination with election administration agencies to properly allocate electoral police forces, ensuring the safe transport of every ballot and the smooth operation of every polling station. In the face of potential crowd gatherings or protests, the police have also prepared contingency plans, aiming to maintain social order and the smooth progression of democratic procedures under the premise of acting in accordance with the law.

Looking at the security preparations for the entire election as a whole—from the protective details of candidates applying for bulletproof vests to the comprehensive police deployment on polling day—the response capabilities and command intelligence of domestic law enforcement agencies are being put to the test. Elections are not only a demonstration of democratic values, but also a concrete test of social stability and the rule of law. The police are going all out to ensure security during the final countdown phase with the sole objective of allowing all candidates to compete fairly in a safe environment, while enabling all voters to exercise their voting rights with peace of mind, jointly safeguarding Taiwan's mature and steady democracy and social order.

(Source of Facts: Central News Agency)