TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In the ongoing presidential race, political parties employ diverse campaign tactics to court swing voters. Campaign giveaways aimed at swaying votes bring the controversial practice of election canvassing to the forefront.
Despite its contentious nature, this election culture remains ingrained in Taiwanese society.
Allegations of election bribery have surfaced against Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Lu Yu-ling. On Wednesday (Dec. 27), Lu faced scrutiny for potentially buying votes by distributing free nail clipper sets during a rally in Taoyuan.
The scandal escalated when it was revealed that the market price for similar nail sets exceeded the NT＄30 giveaway threshold, with online prices reaching as high as NT＄180. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative candidate Liu Jen-chao criticized Lu for using "corrupt practices" that endanger Taiwan's democracy.
Lu defended himself, asserting that the nail sets are legal and comply with regulations. He urged all candidates to refrain from spreading fake news or distorting the truth as campaign tactics.
According to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), distributing campaign gifts valued at NT＄30 or more is not necessarily considered bribery. However, concerns persist about how giveaways can influence voters' decisions.
To evaluate the impact of such gifts, the MOJ examines factors like the nature of the gifts, timing, method, price, and public perception, aiming to identify signs of election bribery.
While election canvassing remains contentious in Taiwan's elections, its entrenched presence raises questions about the transparency of campaign practices on the island, sparking concerns about Taiwan's evolving role as a political intrigue hub.