#TaiwanGeneralElections2020
Vigorous Elections in Taiwan; Voters More Concerned About Candidates’ Political Views and Economic Policy

Voting in the Taiwan election started at 8am today. In one of the polling stations in Yunlin District, Kaohsiung City, many voters casted their votes within the first 2 hours. A voter expressed her worries towards the election as she believes that the election result will determine whether or not voting is still possible and whether freedom of speech can still be enjoyed in the future. She acknowledged the importance of elections, as civilians can choose their leaders. She expressed that she hopes for elected candidate to stand firm in their believes despite facing oppression.

Some voters believe that the political views of the candidates are important. However, whether their policies can boost the economy in Taiwan is still the most importanr, and the other factors can be disregarded. Some votes are concerned about candidates’ diplomatic policies as the economy will be affected.

Some voters think the election is particularly vigorous, but they hope all parties will respect the result as true democracy is based on mutual respect.

Source: RTHK
#11Jan #ROC #Taiwan #GeneralElections #President #Legislature

#TaiwanGeneralElections2020
Crowds in Taiwan Rail Stations and Taiwan Piers, as Voters Go to the Polls for General Election

Taiwan citizens actively participate in the Taiwan's 2020 general elections held today (#11Jan). Crowds were found in Taipei Station and Taiwan High Speed Rail Station as voters go to the polls for president election.

In Penghu Pier, some voters waited for ferries at 6 a.m. as they wish to avoid the crowds.

The Taiwan's 2020 general elections held between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the result expected to be released tonight.

This year, more than 19 millions citizens have registered as voters, including the 1.18 millions “first-time voters”. Of this year’s total, 30% of voters are aged under 39, which might turn the situation around.

Source: RTHK

#11Jan #TsailngWen #StandWithTaiwan #StandWithHongKong #ROC #Taiwan #GeneralElections #President #Legislature

#FirstHand
Italian Tenor Stefano Lodala travelled to Hong Kong again, singing “May Glory be to Hong Kong” to encourage elderlies that have stood up for the Anti-extradition Bill.

#11Jan #GlorytoHongKong

#TaiwanGeneralElections2020
Mainland China Censors Interview of Incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen

Soon after noon today (January 11), sound and picture showing the incumbent President, Tsai Ing-wen casting her ballot were suddenly disrupted in the news session of NHK in China, with only a black screen was shown. However, the broadcast resumed normal when showing Han kuo-yu casting a vote in an election booth. It was said that similar short disruption in news broadcast also happened previously whenever unwelcoming news to CPC was about to be shown.

Source: NHK
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/202001115003.aspx?utm_source=cna.facebook&utm_medium=fanpage&utm_campaign=fbpost

#11Jan #ROC #Taiwan #GeneralElections #President #Legislature

#FirstHand #11Jan
20:08 | DPP Campaign Headquarters, Taiwan
When the photo was taken, the ballots for the current Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has reached 6.89 million.

Editor's note: As of 20:15, Tsai Ing-wen has gained more than 7 million ballots.

Hong Konger Migrated to Taiwan: It is Great Living in Taiwan

Stand News interviewed Ms Ding, aged 70, during the campaign rally for Tsai Ing-wen on January 10, one day before the presidential election. Ding said that she is a Hong Konger who immigrated to Taiwan for marriage 10 years ago. She expressed that she felt regrettable initially due to the living condition; however, she now believes that it’s a right decision made as Hong Kong is “deteriorating”.

Ding said that if Tsai Ing-Wen won the election, it would benefit the younger generations of Taiwan. Besides, she is not worried of the hit in tourism due to the drop of Mainland tourists.

Source: Stand News
https://www.facebook.com/710476795704610/posts/2771568402928762/

#11Jan #ROC #Taiwan #GeneralElections #President #Legislature #StandWithTaiwan

Hong Kong Police Arrests Girl Within British Consulate Bounds; British Parliament Member Expresses Concern

According to information on-site, at around 1700 HKT, around 20 teenagers were sticking posters regarding the anti-extradition bill movement before 2 to 3 police cars suddenly arriving on the scene, with the police claiming they received news of someone vandalizing the site. Therefore, all teenagers were frisked and their ID cards were recorded.

The police found a bottle of spray paint on a teenage girl named Chu, who is a student at Holy Trinity College, of which she was arrested after the frisk, according to Facebook Page ‘Fei Ying’. Alternatively, a number of people were carrying promotive material at the time, but no one else were arrested. Protestors were informed previously by the UK embassy that the area paved with grey bricks, which included the Main Gate and the Guard Post, is of British territory. Thus they thought the police would not enforce the law in this area.

Luke de Pulford, Conservative Party Human Rights Commissioner, expressed his attention in this incident, especially pointing out the fact that a young girl was arrested only because she was sticking up posters that was promoting peace. Moreover, Pulford emphasized one point that this incident should garner immediate attention as the girl was arrested in the Consulate territory (as she was standing at the ‘grey bricks’ which was labelled as a part of the British Consulate).

Riot police claimed that someone had committed criminal damage and thus they had the right to enforce the law. Protesters have stayed there for around sixty days to request aid from the United Kingdom.

Source: Stand News; Studio Incendo

#11Jan #Consulate #PoliceState #Diplomacy #UK

Highlights of Taiwan's Presidential Election 2020

It is noteworthy that the 'record-breaking' ballots Tsai Ing-wen received by count is, to a certain extent, proportionate to the high election turnout.

For a more in-depth reading, the presidential election outcome in Taiwan should be examined with the legislative election that took place simultaneously.

1. The general election tells of the dynamics between Tsai Ing-wen’s pro-Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Han Kuo-yu's Beijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT).

2. Despite Tsai's victory, the two competing parties only differ by 1% in the total number of ballots they received in the Legislative Yuan, the unicameral legislature of the Republic of China in Taiwan.

3. In Kaohsiung where Han Kuo-yu is mayor, Tsai Ing-wen received over 1.09 million ballots in the presidential election, compared to 0.89 million ballots Han received when running for the mayoral election in 2019.

4. Meanwhile, among those who voted for neither DPP nor KMT, 23% cast their vote for Tsai Ing-wen but only 5% for Han Guo-yu in the presidential election.

The other reason KMT lost stemmed from their exclusion of ethnic minorities: their desire to defend their supporting votes meant they chose to ignore the values close to the heart of ethnic minorities.

Meanwhile, the reason DPP got their votes might not be due to their success on policies and governing, as evidenced by the various obstacles of communication in the society. Rather, DPP won by embracing more equity in core values and their promise to protect the sovereignty of Taiwan.

However, there will be more uncertainties in the next election. For instance, whether the ruling party could deliver on its promises; the confusion cause by an ever increasing flow of information and the marginalization of people in opposition.

The election proved that Taiwan is gradually evolving into a mature democratic society. Apart from the high turnout rate, other positive signs include election-themed sightseeing tours organized for foreign visitors; voices claiming responsibility for their own choices also began to emerge in society; and politicians showing civility by congratulating, thanking and hugging their opponents, which seldom happened in Taiwan’s political scenes before, more often one would see violence break out from conflicts at the Legislative Yuan.

#11Jan #TaiwanElection