The Chiayi District Prosecutors Office in Taiwan attached high importance to intelligence regarding vote-buying in Chiayi City. Prosecutor Lu Ya-chun directed a joint task force consisting of the Chiayi County Investigation Station of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau, the Puzi Precinct of the Chiayi County Police Bureau, the Criminal Investigation Corps of the Chiayi County Police Bureau, the Criminal Investigation Corps of the Chiayi City Police Bureau, the First Precinct of the Chiayi City Police Bureau, and the Chiayi City Specialized Operation Brigade of the Southern Administration Center under the National Immigration Agency. On October 1, 2026, the task force launched a synchronized operation, lawfully summoning the accused campaign agent, Mrs. Chen-Lai, and 15 related voters for questioning to clarify the case, during which cash used for vote-buying was seized.

To secure the election of a certain Chiayi City Council candidate in the West District for the 2026 local public officials election, the defendant, Mrs. Chen-Lai (aged 72), acting with the intent to deliver bribes, visited the residences of local voters in September 2026 and offered NT$1,000 per vote in exchange for their support. Following interrogation, the prosecutor determined that the defendant was heavily suspected of committing the crime of offering bribes to persons entitled to vote under the Civil Servants Election and Strike Act. Finding sufficient cause and necessity for custody, the prosecutor filed an application with the Chiayi District Court for her detention and prohibition of visits and communications, which was granted by the court.

The Chiayi District Prosecutors Office emphasized that vote-buying severely damages the fairness and integrity of democratic elections. Law enforcement authorities—including the prosecution, police, and investigation personnel—will maintain their firm resolve to "strictly investigate vote-buying and suppress violence," taking swift and uncompromising legal action wherever evidence leads. The Prosecutors Office also appealed to the public not to defy the law, encouraging anyone with information on vote-buying to step forward and report it to preserve clean elections and safeguard democratic values.