Acting Supreme Prosecutors Office Prosecutor General Hsu Hsi-hsiang and Taiwan High Prosecutors Office Tainan Branch Chief Prosecutor Huang Yu-yuan personally visited the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office today (the 13th) to attend the press conference for "Safeguarding the Hometown Vote: A Letter from the Chief Prosecutor to Local Residents." The 2026 Local Elections are scheduled for November 28, 2026, and the Central Election Commission will issue the official election notice on August 20 in accordance with the law. To deepen anti-corruption awareness at the grassroots level and prevent illicit activities such as money-driven buying, violence, election gambling, and overseas interference, Chief Prosecutors nationwide have been instructed by Acting Prosecutor General Hsu to send an open letter promoting anti-buying awareness and seeking support directly from local borough and village chiefs.

For the Chiayi region, following a joint press conference held today (the 13th) with local police, investigation, anti-corruption, and immigration agencies, alongside the Chiayi Branches of the Association for Crime Victims Protection, Taiwan After-Care Association, and Chiayi Honored Probation Officer Association, Chief Prosecutor Tsai Tzung-Shi issued an open letter to all village and borough chiefs as well as local residents across Chiayi County and Chiayi City, calling on all sectors of society to unite in maintaining election fairness and upholding the core values of Taiwan's democratic system.

Acting Prosecutor General Hsu Hsi-hsiang of the Supreme Prosecutors Office emphasized that a clean election environment is the bedrock of democratic governance. Grassroots village and borough chiefs, together with local citizens, serve as the frontline defense for local democracy. Prosecutorial agencies must proactively engage with communities, advance legal education, and demonstrate a firm commitment to precision strike operations against crime, resolutely blocking illicit funds, overseas forces, and election gambling to ensure every citizen can exercise their sacred right to vote free from interference.

Chief Prosecutor Huang Yu-yuan of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office Tainan Branch also provided specific directives regarding regional joint defense and anti-corruption campaigns: The Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan region is an essential stronghold of democracy. The appellate branch office will fully leverage its supervisory role and integrate regional resources to assist district prosecutors offices in implementing vote-buying investigation and anti-corruption publicity plans. Through the innovative initiative of chief prosecutors writing directly to village and borough chiefs, anti-corruption awareness is expected to reach every corner of local neighborhoods, realizing the goal of "emphasizing both investigation and deterrence while prioritizing prevention" to leave no room for illegal forces to operate.

To carry out Acting Prosecutor General Hsu's instruction on "precision strikes" and Tainan Branch Chief Prosecutor Huang's principle of "emphasizing both investigation and deterrence while prioritizing prevention," Chiayi District Prosecutors Office Chief Prosecutor Tsai Tzung-Shi chose the eve of the Central Election Commission's official announcement to demonstrate a proactive law enforcement stance. He transformed core legal concepts and enforcement priorities regarding election interference into an open letter addressed to all village/borough chiefs and local residents in the jurisdiction.

The letter highlights that village and borough chiefs represent the hub of public opinion and the foundation of local governance. Being most familiar with the local landscape, chiefs are urged to act as community leaders in steering residents toward rejecting vote-buying. Furthermore, the letter explicitly details four key types of illegal election interference subject to priority investigation, along with their legal consequences, strictly warning citizens against violating the law:

1. Firmly Stand Against Vote-Buying; Refuse to Buy or Sell Votes

Refuse to buy or sell votes. Work together to maintain a clean electoral atmosphere and safeguard a fair, competitive election environment.

2. Strictly Prohibit Fraudulent Household Registration (Ghost Population)

Moving household registration without actual residence for the sole purpose of enabling a specific candidate to win—thereby fraudulently acquiring voting rights and casting votes—violates the provisions on fraudulent household registration under the Criminal Code, punishable by up to 5 years of imprisonment.

3. Prevent Illicit Sponsored Travel and Interference by Overseas Forces

Normal travel and exchanges remain unaffected. However, soliciting voters under direction, entrustment, or funding from others to travel to Mainland China or other regions for free or at prices significantly below market value, in exchange for agreeing to support a specific political party or candidate, is illegal for both organizers and participants:

• Organizers / Funders: Violate the crime of vote-buying through bribery, punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment.

• Participating Voters: Those who agree to support a specific party or candidate will also face criminal liability under the law.

• Interference by Overseas Forces: If the above offenses are committed under the direction, entrustment, or funding of an overseas infiltrating source, penalties will be increased by up to one-half pursuant to the Anti-Infiltration Act.

4. Crack Down on Election Gambling and Illegal Betting

Operating election gambling pools or placing bets on candidate election outcomes or vote totals via the internet, messaging apps, or overseas platforms constitutes an illegal act:

• Bettors: Subject to up to 6 months of imprisonment.

• Pool Operators (for profit): Subject to up to 5 years of imprisonment, and may concurrently face a fine of up to NT$500,000.

Generous Rewards Kept Strictly Confidential; Citizens Encouraged to Report Violations Courageously

The Chiayi District Prosecutors Office reiterates that the law enforcement team will strictly carry out superior prosecutorial instructions based on the principles of "precision strikes, regional joint defense, and rigorous, swift investigation," showing zero tolerance toward any attempts to undermine election fairness.

If members of the public discover any of the above illegal activities or any form of election interference, please courageously call the reporting hotline: 0800-024099 (press 4 after connecting). The Prosecutors Office will keep the identity of informants strictly confidential. If a report leads to the discovery of major election interference cases, such as overseas force involvement, eligible whistleblowers will receive a reporting reward of up to NT$20 million. Residents are encouraged to report with peace of mind and join hands to protect every precious vote in our hometown!