Chiayi District Prosecutors Office Integrates Enforcement Power to Demonstrate "Zero Tolerance" for Vote-Buying and Determination to Guard Democracy

In response to the upcoming 2026 Local Public Official Elections, the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office (hereinafter "the Office") convened the "2026 Local Public Official Election Investigation Strategic Pre-election Meeting" at 10:00 AM on April 16, 2026, in the Office’s 3rd-floor conference room. The meeting brought together heads and representatives from regional prosecution, police, investigation, anti-corruption, military police, and immigration agencies. Chief Prosecutor Huang Yu-yuan of the Tainan Branch of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office attended to provide guidance. The meeting was presided over by Chief Prosecutor Tsai Tzung-Shi of the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office.

Distinguished attendees included:

• Guan Yi-zhen, Presiding Judge of the Taiwan Chiayi District Court;

• Gu Rui-lin, Director General of the Chiayi County Police Bureau;

• Chen Ming-zhi, Director General of the Chiayi City Police Bureau;

• Chen Yao-hui, Director of the Chiayi County Station, MJIB;

• Yu Guo-cheng, Director of the Chiayi City Station, MJIB;

• Zheng Jia-hong, Deputy Director of the Southern Region Investigation Group, Agency Against Corruption (AAC);

• Hou Jian-ting, Deputy Director of the Ethics Department, Chiayi County Government;

• Liu Meng-zheng, Director of the Ethics Department, Chiayi City Government;

• Luo Jin-ding, Captain of the Chiayi County Specialized Operation Corp, National Immigration Agency;

• Tu Shun-fu, Captain of the Chiayi City Specialized Operation Corp, National Immigration Agency;

• Liao Yun-de, Major and Deputy Section Chief of the Chiayi Military Police;

• Chiefs of various police precincts and other agency representatives, alongside the Office’s head prosecutors, prosecutors, and prosecutorial officers.

During the meeting, work reports were presented by Head Prosecutor Chen Jing-hui, Criminal Investigation Captains Weng Shi-min and Cai Zhi-yan, MJIB Section Chiefs Zhang Pei-shan and Zheng Ming-hui, and representatives from the Immigration and Ethics departments. Participants engaged in thorough discussions regarding local election trends, potential crime hotspots, and criminal methodologies. By reviewing past investigation tactics and exchanging views openly, the teams aimed to refine their investigative skills and integrate multi-agency resources. The goal is to foster a spirit of teamwork across prosecution, police, investigation, anti-corruption, military police, and immigration sectors to ensure a clean electoral environment.

Chief Prosecutor Huang specifically noted that the three major challenges for this year’s election are underground gambling dens, disinformation, and interference by foreign forces. He urged the cross-agency enforcement team to uphold the principle of "investigating every lead and prosecuting every piece of evidence." He emphasized effective "mine-laying" (informant networking) before the election and strengthening horizontal communication during the election to ensure swift reporting and proactive strikes against illegal activities.

Chief Prosecutor Tsai stated that the quality of democracy depends on fair elections. To ensure the integrity of elected officials, the Office has officially established the "Task Force for the Execution of Election Interference Investigations." He emphasized that all members must follow the "2026 Local Public Official Election Investigation Guidelines" issued by the Ministry of Justice, focusing on four key pillars:

1. Strictly investigating vote-buying and violence.

2. Severing election gambling rings.

3. Blocking the interference of disinformation.

4. Preventing foreign force intervention.

Chief Prosecutor Tsai officially announced that the Chiayi region's crackdown on vote-buying and violence begins today (April 16) and issued the following specific directives:

1. Strengthen Informant Networks (Mine-laying) for Precise Strikes: Implement "High-Quality Mine-laying" (quality over quantity). Police, MJIB, and Immigration units should actively contact villages, new resident groups, and grassroots organizations to establish effective reporting channels, ensuring every village has "mines" (informants) to reflect vote-buying dynamics.

2. Swift Investigation and Upward Tracing: Adhering to the principle of "No Ceiling, No Bottom Line," authorities will scrutinize candidates' financial flows and expand investigations into "ballot-swapping" (collusion) cases. Monitoring will be heightened for party primaries, uncontested districts, or candidates with no actual campaign activity. The ultimate goal is to trace crimes back to the candidates themselves. In addition to criminal prosecution, "Annulment of Election" lawsuits will be filed against offenders.

3. Technological Investigation and Digital Tracing: In response to Generative AI and Deepfake challenges, real-time reporting and handling mechanisms must be strengthened. For digital transfers, illegal social media funds, and online gambling, authorities must proactively investigate links to election betting to cut off illegal cash flows.

4. Administrative Neutrality and Fair Enforcement: Procedural justice must be maintained to ensure public trust. Regarding "black letters" (smear pamphlets), a consistent standard must be applied: illegal items will be seized, and those suspected of containing falsehoods will be reported for investigation immediately. Whistleblower identities must be strictly protected through multi-line investigations.

5. Targeting Hotspots and Comprehensive Prevention: Regarding "phantom populations," authorities will audit abnormal household registration changes occurring since January 2026. Surveillance will increase on temples, elderly associations, and community events during the Dragon Boat and Mid-Autumn Festivals to prevent disguised vote-buying via abnormal donations or lavish gifting.

6. Blocking Foreign Interference and Promoting Anti-Corruption: Closely monitor trips to Mainland China to see if infiltration sources are providing resources. Simultaneously promote the Vote-Buying Whistleblower Reward (up to NT$20 million) and assist whistleblowers in claiming rewards under absolute confidentiality.

7. Horizontal Communication and Immediate Response: Prosecution, police, investigation, anti-corruption, military, and immigration agencies must maintain tight communication. In the event of emergencies or major disputes, agencies must report immediately and issue press clarifications to dispel public doubt.

In closing, Chief Prosecutor Tsai encouraged all colleagues to implement these tasks diligently to achieve the core goal of "Fair Elections, Safeguarding Democracy."

【Report Vote-Buying, Protect Chiayi】

• Report Hotline: (05) 275-2548

• Toll-Free Line: 0800-024-099 (Press 4 after connecting)

• Fax Line: (05) 278-0445

• Mailing Address: Chiayi P.O. Box No. 1-25