Sat Jul 26 09:40:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Taiwan is experiencing an unprecedented wave of recall efforts against elected officials. A total of 31 legislators and one city mayor have had recall petitions successfully initiated against them, triggering a series of votes. The first round of voting, involving 24 legislators and the Mayor of Hsinchu City, is taking place on July 26th, with results expected later that day. To succeed, a recall requires a majority vote and a certain percentage of the electorate to vote in favor. If successful, the recalled official is immediately removed from office and barred from running for the same position in the same district for four years. A by-election will be held within three months, unless the remaining term is too short. The Central Election Commission will announce the official results on August 1st.
**News Article:**
**Taiwan Faces Mass Recall Vote: Fate of Dozens of Lawmakers and Mayor Hangs in the Balance**
**TAIPEI** – Taiwan is bracing for a historic day of political upheaval as voters head to the polls on July 26th to decide the fate of 24 legislators and the Mayor of Hsinchu City, who are all facing recall votes. This unprecedented “great recall” wave, targeting 31 legislators and one mayor from opposition parties, has captivated the nation and could dramatically reshape Taiwan’s political landscape.
Voting concludes at 16:00 Taipei time (08:00 GMT), after which ballot counting will begin at 5,947 polling stations across the island. The recalls have been initiated by citizen groups and activists, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction with certain elected officials.
According to Taiwan’s Public Officials Election and Recall Act, a successful recall requires a “yes” vote exceeding the “no” vote and reaching a specific threshold. For example, in Hualien, the district of Kuomintang caucus leader Fu Kun-chi, with a total of 191,000 voters, a recall will succeed if more than 47,000 voters vote in favor and the “yes” votes are greater than the “no” votes.
The Central Election Commission is scheduled to announce the official results on August 1st.
If a recall is successful, the official will be immediately removed from office and barred from running for the same seat in the same district for four years, effectively sidelining them until at least the 2028 legislative elections. A by-election must be held within three months to fill the vacant seat unless the remaining term is less than one year, in which case the seat will remain vacant until the next general election. For the mayorship, no by-election is held, if the remaining term is less than two years.
If the recall fails, no further attempts can be made to recall the official during their current term.
The outcome of these recall votes will be closely watched, not only for their immediate impact on Taiwan’s political composition, but also for the precedent they set for citizen engagement and accountability in the democratic process.
First Piper 