Taiwan Legislative Election 2004 Report of International Observation Mission December 2004 Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) - Taiwan Legislative Report 2004 Published by Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) 109 Suthisarnwinichai Road Samsennok, Huaykwang Bangkok 10320, Thailand Tel : (66 2) 2773627 Fax : (66 2) 2762183 E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.anfrel.org Written by Herizal Hazri Edited by Bo Tedards Sanjay Gathia Layout by Chatchawan Rakchat Photos courtesy of mission observers, except where noted Book cover designed by Wachiraporn Khwanchuen Book cover art work by Mayca Walis, Indigenous artist of Renai Township Nantou County,Taiwan ISBN : 974-94904-8-7 Printed in Bangkok, Thailand 2September 2006 Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) - Taiwan Legislative Report 2004 Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..........................................................................6 PREFACE BY THE AUTHOR....................................................................8 MAP OF TAIWAN......................................................................................10 I. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................12 ASIAN NETWORK FOR FREE ELECTIONS (ANFREL) .................................12 ANFREL - TANFREL INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION FOR THE 6TH LEGISLATIVE YUAN ELECTION 2004 .......................14 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................14 OBJECTIVES OF THE ELECTION OBSERVATION PROGRAM ..............................16 METHODOLOGIES AND STRATEGIES ...............................................................17 TAIWAN OVERVIEW .......................................................................................23 II. TAIWAN: POLITICAL SYSTEM AND NATIONAL POLITICS ...27 POLITICAL SYSTEM ......................................................................................27 THE CONSTITUTION........................................................................................27 NATIONAL POLITICS.....................................................................................32 “HARD AUTHORITARIANISM” (1949-72)........................................................34 "SOFT AUTHORITARIANISM" (1972-88)..........................................................35 THE DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION (1988-00).....................................................36 RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA ...........................................................................38 POLITICAL SPECTRUM.....................................................................................40 MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES............................................................................41 III. THE LEGISLATIVE YUAN ...............................................................49 HISTORY........................................................................................................49 LEGISLATORS................................................................................................52 ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE .....................................................................52 POWERS.........................................................................................................53 WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION .......................................................................54 INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S REPRESENTATION ..................................................55 3 Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) - Taiwan Legislative Report 2004 IV. ELECTIONS IN TAIWAN ..................................................................57 ELECTORAL SYSTEM.....................................................................................57 CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION ..............................................................59 ELECTION PROCEDURES .................................................................................61 ELECTION SUPERVISION .................................................................................66 ELECTION LITIGATION....................................................................................67 V. LEGISLATIVE YUAN ELECTIONS 2004 .........................................68 VI. ANFREL OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS..................................68 CAMPAIGN OBSERVATION ............................................................................69 SECURITY AND CAMPAIGN ATMOSPHERE.......................................................69 CAMPAIGNING METHODS ...............................................................................70 VOTE ALLOCATION ........................................................................................75 VOTE BUYING ................................................................................................78 CAMPAIGN FINANCE.......................................................................................80 ISSUES THAT DOMINATED CAMPAIGNING PERIOD ..........................................82 VOTER EDUCATION.........................................................................................86 MEDIA AND INFORMATION .............................................................................88 ADHERENCE TO ELECTION LAW.....................................................................91 CONCLUSION ON THE PRE ELECTION CAMPAIGNING OBSERVATION ..........95 VII. ELECTION DAY OBSERVATION ..................................................96 POLLING PROCESS ........................................................................................99 COUNTING AND TABULATION.....................................................................102 VOTER TURNOUT ........................................................................................104 IMMEDIATE POST-ELECTION ENVIRONMENT............................................105 CONCLUSION ON THE ELECTION DAY OBSERVATION...............................106 VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................106 IX. RESULT OF THE 6TH LEGISLATIVE YUAN ELECTION 2004.110 OVERALL DATA ..........................................................................................110 POLITICAL RESULTS...................................................................................110 X. ANNEXES .............................................................................................113 STATEMENT ON TAIWAN LEGISLATION ELECTION OBSERVATION 2004 .113 4 Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) - Taiwan Legislative Report 2004 INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS.....................................................................121 STATUS ACT FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES .....................................125 THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS ELECTION AND RECALL LAW...........126 5 Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) - Taiwan Legislative Report 2004 Acknowledgements ANFREL would like to record its appreciation to the many individuals and organisations, without which ANFREL’s programs that encouraged efforts for democratisation in Asia, including (this time around) Taiwan, would not have be achieved. To all, sung and unsung heroes, with or without names printed in this acknowledgement, you know who you are and how much your contribution has effected the daily lives of people in Asia. Firstly, to all the hardworking friends of ANFREL in Taiwan, who had succeeded in organising the first International Election Observation Mission to Taiwan. Furthermore, the hospitality and friendship they have offered to ANFREL’s team while we were in Taiwan was admirable. Secondly, to the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) for allotting its financial support to enable both the International Observation Mission and the production of this report possible. Also, to all other NGOs in Taiwan who have supported ANFREL in many priceless ways. Thirdly, to the Central Election Commission, local election commissions, and all the other government agencies in Taiwan, who were very helpful in talking to ANFREL’s team throughout the mission, constantly explaining the political situation of the country and its electoral elements and procedures. This information was vital in educating ANFREL’s team on various issues related to the elections in Taiwan. 6 Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) - Taiwan Legislative Report 2004 Last but not least, to all ANFREL network members around Asia who have supported this mission in Taiwan: we have proven, again and again, the value of ANFREL’s solidarity. To those who we (ANFREL) could not recall: It is all of you that made the picture perfect. ANFREL Secretariat, Bangkok 7 Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) - Taiwan Legislative Report 2004 Preface by the author As Taiwan has a very interesting and complex political background, attempting to write anything on the subject is a daunting assignment. I am often trapped in trying to find the best word to describe Taiwan, on whether it is a nation-state or a province. However, it is important to state here that this report is prepared with the basic understanding of Taiwan as a state, which definition I take the privilege to assert by looking at its capacity of self-governance in political, economic and social matters. Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) first established relations with Taiwanese civil society in 2002, when ANFREL invited two civil society workers from Taiwan to join its International Observation Mission for the Cambodian Commune Election that year. As part of ANFREL’s ongoing promotion of greater participation