Taipei: The Legislative Yuan has passed amendments to the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, permitting individuals with suspended sentences or those eligible for community service as an alternative to imprisonment to run for office.

According to Focus Taiwan, the bill, supported by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP), secured approval with a 57-48 vote. The revised regulations maintain that individuals convicted of offenses related to national security, corruption, organized crime, narcotics, or money laundering are still ineligible to run for office if they have not completed their sentences.

The amendments specifically allow individuals with suspended sentences or those performing community service instead of imprisonment to bypass previous restrictions. Additionally, a separate amendment was approved, preventing individuals convicted under the Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act from registering as candidates.

The amendments sparked controversy, with accusations from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers that the changes could benefit specific individuals, particularly Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an. Kao, a former TPP member, received a six-month prison sentence for forgery, related to allegations of falsified legislative assistant expenses. DPP lawmakers contended that the amendments could impact her eligibility for the upcoming local elections, a claim opposed by other lawmakers.

During the debate, DPP lawmaker Lee Po-yi emphasized that legislative changes should not cater to specific individuals. He suggested that if the amendments were deemed necessary, they should be implemented after the registration deadline of September 4 for the November 28 local elections or at the start of the next year, rather than immediately.

KMT lawmaker Weng Hsiao-ling defended the amendment, highlighting that it balanced political integrity with citizens' rights to seek public office. She argued that excluding individuals convicted of minor or negligent offenses from candidacy would contravene the principle of proportionality.

TPP lawmaker Hsu Chung-hsin added that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to vote and stand for election and that existing criminal sentencing restrictions should not be extended through election laws.