A by-election to appoint the second Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chairperson is to take place on Feb. 15, after registration for candidates begins tomorrow, the party said today.
TPP founder Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), who is currently being held incommunicado in detention, resigned as chairman on Jan. 1 and appointed Legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) to take his place pending a new election.
Ko is facing corruption and other charges in connection to a Core Pacific City Co (京華城購物中心) redevelopment project during his time as Taipei mayor and involving TPP campaign finance irregularities related to last year’s election.
Photo: Taipei Times
The party chair by-election is to take place online from 9am to 4pm on Feb. 15, the party said, adding that candidates can register online from 9am tomorrow until 6pm on Friday.
According to TPP internal regulations, eligible candidates must have been a party member for at least one year, having joined before Feb. 14 last year, and hold or have previously held a position in the Central Committee.
This leaves just two eligible members in the running with sufficient backing: Huang and former TPP legislator and founding party member Tsai Pi-ju (蔡壁如).
Only those who have been party members for at least four months, since Oct. 14, are eligible to vote, while all party members must settle any outstanding party fees and payments, and must not be currently suspended to retain voting rights.
The TPP is to publish the list of candidates on Feb. 6 and host two political platform presentation sessions on Feb. 8 and 14, the party said.
Results are to be announced on Feb. 19, with the newly elected chair to hold office until Dec. 31 next year, the TPP said.
Additional reporting by CNA
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