The defense ministry says that all military personnel will be able to vote in the municipal elections scheduled for November 29. That’s the word from Deputy Defense Minister General Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) on Thursday.
In response to concerns that on-duty military personnel might not be able to vote, Chiu said that it is true that most soldiers will not have the day off like civilians. Only new recruits will be given the day off this year. But he said that the current shift arrangement in the military will allow most of the soldiers ample time to get to polling places before they close. However, there were still be some exceptions.
“Except for those who are on guard, soldiers will be able to do a handover at noon," said Chiu. "This will allow most of them to vote. Those who are currently serving on the outlying islands or on frigates, they might not be able to get back to their hometowns in time for the poll.”
Taiwan does not issue absentee ballots, so soldiers must get from the place where they are stationed back to their hometowns in order to vote.