Taiwan Lawmakers Ease Rules for Convicted Individuals Seeking Office
Taiwan's legislature has approved amendments that ease restrictions on who can run for public office. Individuals who received suspended sentences or completed community service instead of serving jail time will now be eligible to seek elected positions.
Candidacy Laws Changed
REPORTER:
Lawmakers have eased restrictions on who can run for office.
The amendments allow people who received suspended sentences or were able to perform community service in lieu of jail time to run for office. Those convicted of major crimes, or offenses involving national security, organized crime, corruption, narcotics, and money laundering who have not yet completed their sentences will still be unable to run for office. The bill was backed by opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People’s Party lawmakers. Ruling party lawmakers criticized the move, saying the changes could benefit a local official recently convicted of forgery.
