19/01/54 Background info • First general election of parliament in1992, Participation in the legislative election every 4 years process in Taiwan • Main parties – KMT(71) and DPP (33) • Sea ts: 113(73ditit/34113 ( 73 districts/ 34 par ti/6IP)ties/ 6 IP) Tsai Chi-Hsun • parallel voting system(2007): a vote for Taiwan Association for candidate, another for the party Human Rights (TAHR) How the parliament works Drafts with least 20 supporters Government’s draft/ National budget • 8 professional committes st • Two elected chairpersons in committe, 1 reading in GA she/he is in charge of agenda setting Review and discussion in related committe(s) • CittiCommitte is suppose dtd to screen an d nd rewiew the articles of the bills / national 2 reading in GA budget and questioning the related 3rd reading in GA policies before the 2nd and 3rd reading. Laws Drafts with least 20 supporters When and How Stakeholders can intervene Role of political parties Government’s draft./ Natinal budget 1st reading in GA • Most legislators are following the Party negotiations Public hearing instruction from the party caucus (quick 2nd reading) Who will support/ against Review and discussion • Behind the committes : under-table in related committe(s) negotiation among party caucus Party negotiations Time-fkfNGOtframework for NGO to lobby and strategise => many critisis for untransparency Breakdown of negotiatioon Vote before the 2nd reading 2nd reading in GA 3rd reading in GA Laws 1 19/01/54 NGOs and the legislative branch Some archievement • Bills / amendment/ petition by NGOs • Video on Demand : right to information - press/ media - rally/ assembly http://ivod.ly.gov.tw/index.jsp?udlang=en - public hearing Advocate by NGOs(Citizens Congress Watch) • BdBudget rev iew ing an d screen ing Gathering public support in the election 2007 - Administration and Judiciary Adopted by Legislative Yuan from 2009 • Constitutional challenge ( 1/3 of parliament) - case of finger print Parliament watch • Periodical assessment of individuals /parties • Transparency and accessibility : VOD system, version of draft bills , process of the bills, documents and records of meeting, all avialable from parliament library and websites Obstacles and Challenges • Questioning session as the showcase • Improving the efficiency and quality of law- making • RdReduc ing thiflthe influence o f par ty caucas • Electoral bias : favor to big parties • The art of compromise 2.