Taiwan Prosecutors Investigate Vote-Buying Allegations in Hualien

Kathrin Hille’s Allegations of Vote-Buying in Rural Hualien

The investigation stems from remarks made by Kathrin Hille, a veteran journalist who has reported from Taiwan since the administration of former President Chen Shui-bian.

Now residing in rural Hualien, Hille described a local political ecosystem where cash transactions influence election outcomes. She recounted that neighbors would mention visitors leaving money on tables to establish the price per vote, raising concerns about electoral integrity decades after Taiwan’s democratization.

Hualien Prosecutors Open Formal Case and Review

In response to the broadcast, the Hualien District Prosecutors Office moved quickly. Chief Prosecutor Liao Jung-kuan announced by telephone that authorities actively investigate all vote-buying allegations to maintain fair and impartial elections. Prosecutors officially clipped newspaper reports of the interview to open a formal case file for investigation.

The Hualien County Government declined to comment on the matter, noting that election bribery investigations fall outside its administrative jurisdiction. Meanwhile, the Hualien County Electoral Commission clarified that its mandate covers organizing election operations rather than investigating vote-buying offenses.

Reactions and Demands for Evidence From Hualien Candidates

Local candidates reacted sharply to the claims, challenging the veteran journalist to substantiate her assertions. Kuomintang Hualien county magistrate candidate Yu Shu-chen argued that the remarks dismiss the hard work of local people’s representatives. Yu stated that Hille should present concrete evidence or face potential defamation accusations, adding that legal action remains an option.

Independent candidates also weighed in on the controversy. Independent Hualien county magistrate candidates Chang Chun and Wei Chia-hsien similarly urged Hille to provide specific proof so that investigative bodies can verify the claims. Both candidates emphasized that if no evidence supports the allegations, the process should clear Hualien residents of wrongdoing.