New Taipei prosecutors raid and seek detention for DPP councilor over vote-buying allegations.

The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office recently directed the New Taipei City Field Division of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau to launch large-scale searches and questioning operations regarding allegations that incumbent Democratic Progressive Party New Taipei City Councilor Liao Yi-kun violated the Public Officials Election and Recall Act and the Personal Data Protection Act. After acquiring relevant intelligence, prosecutors and investigators recently executed search warrants at Liao's constituent service office and the residences of related individuals involved, bringing in Liao, a person surnamed Hsu who serves as the director of the service office, and several others for interrogation. Following overnight questioning by prosecutors, it was determined that Liao and Director Hsu are heavily suspected of vote-buying and violating the Personal Data Protection Act, with concerns of potential collusion and destruction of evidence. Consequently, formal requests for detention and communication restriction have been filed with the New Taipei District Court, sparking widespread attention in local political circles.

According to preliminary investigations and evidence gathered by investigative authorities, the core methodology of the case involves constituent services and neighborhood interaction models commonly seen among local elected representatives. Liao is suspected of using the name of his service office to provide free knife-sharpening services—either on a long-term or irregular basis—to residents within his constituency to win the goodwill and support of local voters. In addition to these complimentary daily utility maintenance services, investigators also suspect that the relevant team organized banquets under specific pretexts to host voters from the district, during which substantive canvassing for votes took place. These types of activities often operate in a legal and illegal gray area during grassroots elections in Taiwan. The major intervention by investigative authorities aims to clarify the sources of funding for these services and banquets, as well as whether there was a clear quid pro quo relationship, thereby constituting vote-buying through promises under the provisions of the Election and Recall Act.

Notably, the direction of the investigation encompasses not only violations of the Election and Recall Act but also suspected offenses under the Personal Data Protection Act. In practical operations, grassroots service offices typically establish massive voter databases to maintain relationships with constituents, recording contact information, birthdays, family member details, and even voting intentions. During the search operation, investigators simultaneously audited the methods by which the service office collected and utilized voter personal data, assessing whether there were any instances of improper collection, utilization, or leakage. The accusation under the Personal Data Protection Act indicates that investigators are not only tracing the flow of money or material benefits but are also comprehensively examining the legal compliance of politicians regarding the protection of personal privacy and data during their grassroots engagement.

In Taiwan's democratic electoral system, the Public Officials Election and Recall Act defines vote-buying to include the provision of money, property, or improper benefits. As judicial authorities place increasing emphasis on electoral integrity, whether through direct cash vote-buying, high-priced gifts, or seemingly trivial conveniences such as free labor services and dining hospitality, any action deemed to have a quid pro quo relationship capable of influencing voting intentions may become a target of investigation. The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office's move to seek the detention of an incumbent councilor once again highlights the judicial department's determination to purify the electoral atmosphere and curb various new forms of vote-buying, while sounding an alarm for grassroots representatives and political workers across Taiwan, reminding them to strictly adhere to legal boundaries in constituent services and daily interactions.

As the case enters judicial proceedings, whether the court will rule to detain and restrict communication for Liao and his service office director will be the focus of widespread attention. Facing heavy-handed searches and felony charges by investigative authorities, the individuals involved will inevitably need to provide a legitimate explanation for the funding and activities to clarify that the services and banquets did not constitute vote-buying with a quid pro quo relationship. The subsequent development of this case not only concerns the innocence and political future of individual politicians but will also serve as an important reference case for the judicial sector in defining the boundary between "local services" and "vote-buying by promise," bearing significant benchmark implications for Taiwan's local autonomy and electoral culture.

(Source: Central News Agency)