TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Voters across Taiwan headed to the polls Saturday (Aug. 23) to participate in the second wave of legislative recalls and a referendum on restarting the Third Nuclear Power Plant. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) cast her ballot in the North District (北區), a key administrative division in the central Taiwan city. She declined to comment on recent remarks from NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) regarding nuclear energy policy, maintaining diplomatic silence on the contentious issue.
Lu also smiled and reminded everyone to stay safe when questioned about U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of green energy initiatives. Wu Shi-wei (吳世瑋), director of Taichung's Civil Affairs Bureau, stated that 2,416,540 residents, including approximately 93,000 first-time voters, are eligible to vote in the referendum. The city established 1,898 polling stations across Taichung to accommodate the substantial voter turnout for this critical democratic exercise.
Legislative Vice President Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) and his wife voted early, hoping for a return to normalcy and mutual respect in Taiwan's democratic society following the vote. Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), leader of Taiwan's parliament, cast his vote in Yunlin County, accompanied by his wife, Lee Chia-fen (李佳芬). Both senior officials demonstrated their commitment to Taiwan's democratic processes through their participation in the electoral exercise.
Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康), former Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) vice presidential candidate, cast his vote in Taipei earlier this morning and discussed the KMT's chairmanship election. Shaw-kong noted that having the same person serve as both presidential candidate and KMT chairman could ease campaign efforts for Taiwan's main opposition party. He acknowledged pressure facing Lu, as seven KMT legislators face recall elections, three from Taichung, while expressing confidence in her 30 years of central Taiwan political experience.