TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Executive Yuan approved the referendum absentee voting draft bill proposed by the Central Election Commission (CEC) on Thursday (Feb. 22).
Aiming to protect the citizens' right to vote, the new law will implement absentee voting through a transfer voting system. Eligible voters can apply to the election commissions of municipalities with the necessary application forms.
According to the CEC, this proposed bill is designed per Article 25 of the Referendum Act, amended and published on Jan. 3, 2018. If an eligible voter cannot return to their place of registration to vote due to work, study, or other factors, or if the costs and time of returning influence their voting intention, this bill allows for nationwide referendum absentee voting.
The draft bill will implement absentee voting via the "transfer voting" method to ensure voting secrecy and fairness of the election outcome, the CEC pointed out.
The government will adopt an "application system" with no restrictions, and any eligible voter can apply until 60 days before the voting day.
In a move to enhance voter convenience, the CEC will also establish an online application system.
For residents in mountainous, offshore, or remote areas, the option to apply for transfer voting will be extended, allowing them to vote in different towns and districts within the same county or city.