The Taiwan High Court yesterday urged the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)-People First Party (PFP) alliance, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the media to stop commenting on the ballot recount.
"Emotional comments and making public the latest development of the recount do not make any sense or difference since the recount it is not finished," said Hsu Chang-jin (
"All the controversial ballots will not be ruled valid or invalid before they are recognized by our judges. I would suggest both sides sit back and relax," Hsu said.
PHOTO: CHANG HSUN-TUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Hsu said the recount would be finished by May 19, one day earlier than scheduled.
In the meantime, he said, both the alliance and the DPP should stick to their agreement made in court not to make public the latest development of the recount and comments.
In addition to echoing the high court's complains about the publicity, Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Legislator Chen Chien-ming (
"According to different news media, including newspapers, TV and radio, a great amount of controversial ballots, ranging from 600 to 6,000, were discovered at 21 district courts where the recount is being carried out," Chen said. "That's totally absurd."
Chen said he was worried that inaccurate reporting would create new social problems if the result of the recount does not match the media's "predictions."
He also urged politicians from both sides not to visit the locations where the recount is being carried out.
"Let justice stand alone," he said. "Such visits will not help anything at all. Instead, they will create disturbances for judges, court clerks as well as many other workers of the recount."
Chen suggested the High Court consider making daily announcements about the recount.
"It will be a lot more persuasive if the comment is an official one," Chen said. "It will also be able to avoid inaccurate news coverage about this issue, too."
KMT Legislator Liao Feng-te (廖風德) echoed Chen's comments, saying that its natural for the media to want the latest information about the recount because "the people have the right to know."
"I would suggest the Taiwan High Court organize a daily press conference to let us know what is going on," Liao said. "I think that is negotiable."
Court officials had no response to the lawmakers' suggestions as of press time yesterday.
Meanwhile, the DPP urged the pan-blue camp's lawyers to be stricter about recognizing what constitutes a controversial ballot during the recount.
"More controversial ballots do not guarantee a victory in their case," said DPP Deputy Secretary-General Chung Chia-pin (
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