New recall filing regulations will take place beginning this Thursday. The Legislature passed the amendment in December last year, after which the Cabinet proposed an appeal, and the Legislature rejected it. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced that recall motions submitted beginning February 20 would be subject to the new legislation.
The amended legislation tightens requirements, requiring co-signers to provide photocopies of their identification cards instead of just ID numbers and registered addresses, and stipulates hefty fines and potential prison time of up to five years for individuals found guilty of forging their petition signature.
Central Election Commission (CEC) vice chairman Chen Chao-chien (陳朝建) said that as of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, the CEC had received 57 recall proposals, including 53 for legislators, three for city and county councilors, and one for a mayor. Chen also pointed out that these proposals, which were submitted prior to the changes taking effect, would be subject to the previous regulations.
DPP Caucus Chief Executive Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) spoke this Wednesday regarding the changes, stating that the DPP had prepared for such an outcome and will petition to rule on the constitutionality of the amendment with the Constitutional Court.