To prepare for the 2026 Local Public Officials Nine-in-One Elections, and following previous educational courses on election investigation, Chief Prosecutor Tsai Tzung-Shi of the Taiwan Chiayi District Prosecutors Office (CYDPO) led a dedicated team on June 9 and 10, 2026. The team included Chief Prosecutors Chen Jing-hui and Chen Ding-wen, as well as Prosecutors Chen Ze-ming, Chen Rui-ming, and Lu Ya-chun. They visited the Budai Precinct of the Chiayi County Police Bureau and the First Precinct of the Chiayi City Police Bureau (hereinafter referred to as the Budai Precinct and the First Precinct) to personally convene and chair the District Briefings on Investigating Election Interference. The objective was to gain firsthand understanding and oversight of election interference investigations and anti-bribery campaigns within each jurisdiction, while signaling a resolute commitment to strict law enforcement and robust bribery crackdowns.

Key officials in attendance included:

• Chen Yu-ren, Deputy Director-General of the Chiayi County Police Bureau

• Lin Ming-wei, Chief of the Budai Precinct

• Wu Zhen-yi, Deputy Director of the Chiayi County Station, Investigation Bureau, Ministry of Justice (MOJIB)

• Luo Jin-ding, Captain of the Chiayi County Special Brigade, National Immigration Agency

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

• Yan Bai-chuan, Chief of the First Precinct

• Zheng Ming-hui, Section Chief of the Chiayi City Station, MOJIB

During the meetings, the heads of the criminal investigation units from each precinct delivered reports analyzing the current election climate, the deployment of informants ("mining"), preparedness, and intelligence gathering regarding various types of election interference.

Both precinct chiefs noted that the briefings hosted by the CYDPO serve as a vital command bridge between central and local authorities. Beyond keeping track of local election dynamics, these sessions help establish consensus and unified procedures for investigating bribery, election violence, and illegal gambling rings. This fully demonstrates the resolve of "central supervision coupled with robust local execution" to ensure effective election investigation and security maintenance.

Chief Prosecutors Chen Jing-hui and Chen Ding-wen highlighted key strategies for informant deployment and intelligence gathering across various election-related offenses. They emphasized establishing seamless communication channels between the CYDPO and each precinct, closely monitoring informant networks in designated bribery hot zones, rapidly gathering evidence on fake news or deepfake videos, and eliminating election gambling rings. They urged officers to proactively gather intelligence while maintaining the highest standard of confidentiality for sources to encourage public reporting. Furthermore, they stressed that law enforcement must remain objective, neutral, and aggressive, prosecuting violations swiftly and strictly regardless of the individual's political affiliation or status.

After hearing the reports, Chief Prosecutor Tsai commended the precincts for their thorough preparations. He pointed out that as political parties finalize their nominations, rivalries between traditional local factions and political parties are intensifying. Therefore, election affairs must place equal weight on public awareness and law enforcement.

Chief Prosecutor Tsai’s Key Directives:

• Prevent "Ghost Populations": Intensify advocacy among local candidates and camps to prevent the creation of proxy voters through fictitious household registrations.

• Ban Disguised Bribery: Strictly prohibit vote-buying disguised as study tours, social gatherings, banquets, or recreational trips.

• Monitor High-Risk Areas: In regions with intense factional rivalries, stringently guard against the influx of illicit funds or the exchange of interests under the guise of traditional festivals and temple activities.

Chief Prosecutor Tsai emphasized that the CYDPO's "Election Interference Investigation Task Force" is fully operational, declaring that judicial authorities observe no "legal holidays." The task force will fully confront four core challenges:

1. Rigorously investigating election bribery and violence.

2. Severing illegal gambling rings.

3. Blocking AI deepfake misinformation.

4. Thwarting external forces from interfering in the election.

The regulations regarding rewards for reporting election interference were also highlighted. Citizens who encounter suspicious clues are urged to call the toll-free hotline at 0800-024099 (press 4). The CYDPO guarantees the highest level of anonymity and offers substantial monetary rewards:

• Up to NT$20 million for reporting foreign interference.

• Up to NT$10 million for reporting vote-buying/bribery.

• Up to NT$5 million for reporting election gambling.

Candidates should win over voters by presenting sound political platforms and visions. The CYDPO will swiftly and strictly investigate any election interference to nip illegalities in the bud, ensuring the election is conducted under the principles of legality and fair competition, thereby elevating Taiwan’s democratic governance.