The Examination Yuan is to move up three test dates after a legislative deadlock has left the appointment of its leadership in limbo, it said yesterday.
The test schedule changes are part of “expedient measures” implemented to address legal concerns that it might not have officials available to authorize necessary exams, Examination Yuan Secretary-General Jason Liu (劉建忻) said.
The civil service entrance exam, registered nurse exam, caregiver certification test and the social worker certification test are to be approved in the coming days, instead of in January and February next year as originally planned, he said.
Photo: Chang Wei-chen, Taipei Times
The tests for customs officials, civil servant candidates with handicaps and the transfer of high-ranking military officers to civilian posts cannot be moved forward, as officials do not know how many government posts would be available next year, Liu said.
Appointments of the Examination Yuan’s president, vice president and members are set to expire on Sept. 1, with no replacement in sight, he said.
These measures are a Band-Aid solution and do not resolve the issue of unfilled posts, Liu said, adding that the impartial administration of examinations is fundamental to public trust in the government.
Examination Yuan President Huang Jong-tsun (黃榮村) is to name members of the branch to handle affairs linked to the upcoming exams, he said.
Officials could enter uncharted legal waters if appointments remain unfilled, Liu added.
The Executive Yuan proposes nominees to fill leadership positions in the Examination Yuan, who must then be approved by the Legislative Yuan.
After the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) on Aug. 1 demanded that the nominees submit a questionnaire, President William Lai’s (賴清德) administration on Thursday last week suspended the approval process, saying the requirement might overstep the principle of separation of powers.
The nominees had agreed to halt the process until the Constitutional Court issued a ruling on the amended Act Governing the Legislative Yuan’s Power (立法院職權行使法), the Presidential Office said in a statement.
The TPP caucus at the time accused the Lai administration of hiding behind the Constitutional Court to shield its appointments from scrutiny and leading the charge in breaking laws.
Additional reporting by Lee Wen-hsin
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