The Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday that fewer than 5,000 military personnel will remain on active duty on Election Day, and therefore, be unable to vote.
Taiwan is set to hold presidential and legislative elections on January 11. The military is required by law to monitor islandwide security and maintain Taiwan’s combat readiness on Election Day.
The defense ministry says that the 5,000 members of staff that will be unable to vote account for 2.6% of all military personnel. The remaining 97.4% will be allowed to return home to cast their votes. Soldiers will be let home in two batches, with the first batch required to return to their postings by noon on Election Day.
The defense ministry declined to comment on exactly how many soldiers from each of branch of military will remain on-duty next Saturday.