The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) hopes to revise Taiwan’s elections law to stop those with a criminal record from participating as candidates. Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said on Thursday the revisions are part of the government’s effort in fighting crime.
Su says this should not be seen as discrimination against former convicts, but instead answers the public’s high demands for public officials.
Cabinet spokesperson Lo Ping-cheng (羅秉成) says the changes aim to satisfy public expectations and work towards improving Taiwan’s democratic system. The revisions will be put to the Cabinet for approval next week.
Some of Taiwan’s third parties have expressed support for the changes. However the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) has raised concerns on the impact it could have for former convicts trying to reenter society.
The proposed amendments will still need approval from the legislature.