Taiwan plans to amend laws regulating political parties to prevent foreign forces from influencing elections. That’s according to a press release from the Interior Ministry published on Thursday.
The new amendments seek to prevent foreign forces from infiltrating Taiwanese political parties to influence elections. They’re focused on increasing penalties against activities that foreign forces could use to subvert Taiwan’s political environment.
One amendment would bar individuals who have been convicted of breaking national security laws from becoming officials in political parties.
Since the political parties regulations were enacted five years ago, some parties have been fined for breaking financial reporting requirements. These requirements are meant to prevent funding from foreign sources entering political parties.
But because the parties did not have the funds to pay the fines, they could not be enforced. A new amendment would make political party leaders liable for breaking the reporting requirements.
The amendments still need approval from the legislature before becoming law.