Taipei: The Legislative Yuan on Friday voted down all four nominees to the National Communications Commission (NCC), leaving the independent media regulator under the Cabinet with only three commissioners and unable to make regulatory policy. Each of the four nominees received 50 votes in favor and 60 against, falling short of the required 57 votes for confirmation, according to the voting results.
According to Focus Taiwan, the nominees-Chiang Jung-hsien, Cherng Ming-shiou, Huang Wei-wei, and Lo Huei-wen-were all proposed by the Cabinet in July. They were selected for their expertise in information technology, law, and communications, with Chiang and Cherng designated to serve as NCC chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively. Chiang is a professor at National Cheng Kung University's Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, while Cherng is a law professor at Soochow University specializing in economic administrative law, regulatory theory, constitutional litigation, and information rights. The two other nominees, Huang and Lo, currently teach at National Chengchi University and Shih Hsin University, respectively.
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus expressed full support for all four nominees and urged opposition parties to vote in favor. However, both the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) decided to reject all the candidates after internal discussions earlier in the day. Under Taiwan's law, confirmation of government appointments requires approval by more than half of all lawmakers.
The NCC originally had seven commissioners, but the terms of four members expired on July 31, 2024. Since then, only three commissioners-acting chairperson Chen Chung-shu, Wang Cheng-chia, and Wang Yi-hui-remain in office. Following the failed confirmation vote, the NCC remains unable to make regulatory policy without a quorum of four members. The NCC said that with only three commissioners currently in office, it is only able to convene advisory meetings and unable to hold formal commission sessions.
DPP caucus whip Chen Pei-yu expressed regret over the outcome, accusing the KMT and TPP of obstructing the nominations for political reasons rather than professional considerations. However, the opposition parties cited concerns over professionalism and political bias. TPP caucus convener Huang Kuo-chang said that during the confirmation review, the NCC nominees were found to lack the necessary competence for the positions to which they were nominated.
KMT caucus whip Lo Chih-chiang echoed the criticism, stating that his party had also unanimously voted to reject the nominees, citing past instances of the NCC "abusing its authority." Lo said the KMT would prioritize amending laws to make the NCC a truly professional and independent body. He added that if the DPP respects the new political landscape, it should allow opposition parties to recommend candidates and jointly select suitable appointees.