The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau yesterday said that people reporting foreign attempts to intervene in local elections or vote betting could receive a reward of up to NT$20 million (US$626,213).
As fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy and clean governance, people should inform the authorities if they receive information about or are aware of groups that seek to undermine the fairness of elections, the bureau said.
Foreign intervention and election betting pools have been rampant over the past few years, greatly affecting results, which is why changes have been made to the Key Points on Anti-bribery Tips (鼓勵檢舉賄選要點) to offer rewards for information, it said.
Photo: Wu Cheng-feng, Taipei Times
The bureau said that it would incorporate other changes to broaden efforts to investigate and apprehend those involved in acts that would harm elections.
The regulations’ name would also be changed to the Key Points on Detrimental Acts to Elections (鼓勵檢舉妨害選舉要點), it said.
Organizations that have been fostered by foreign powers to intervene in Taiwan’s elections or that have received funding for such purposes are usually difficult to uncover, it said.
The bureau said it is offering a large sum for tips about such organizations as their actions undermine the fairness of elections and affect national security and social stability.
A person would receive one-quarter of the cash reward if their tip results in individuals being indicted for contravening the Civil Servants Election and Recall Act (公職人員選舉罷免法) or other election-related laws, the amendment states.
If someone accused of bribery is found guilty in the first ruling, the informant would receive the second quarter of the reward. They would receive the full NT$20 million after the final ruling.
Election betting pools could affect the outcome of the elections, as people could be tempted to sway others in how they vote, and are as detrimental to elections as bribery, the bureau said.
Depending on the size of the betting ring involved, an informant could receive a reward of as much as NT$5 million, the bureau said.
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