Sat Jul 26 08:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Taiwan Holds Historic Recall Vote Targeting Opposition Lawmakers
**Taipei, Taiwan** – Taiwan held the first round of an unprecedented mass recall vote today, with voters across nine counties and cities deciding whether to remove 31 Kuomintang (KMT) legislators and the mayor of Hsinchu City, Ko Wen-je.
Polling stations across the island were transformed into counting centers as voting concluded at 4:00 PM local time. Observers were present to monitor the counting process.
The recall vote comes amid heightened political tensions and accusations of “green terror” from Beijing. The KMT, the main opposition party, has accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of orchestrating the recalls to undermine their power. The DPP, however, maintains that it is supporting a grassroots movement driven by citizen concerns.
**Key Races to Watch:**
* **Hualien:** The focus is on KMT caucus leader Fu Kun-chi, known as the “King of Hualien.” With over 191,000 eligible voters in his district, the recall will succeed if more than 47,000 voters agree and the “yes” votes outweigh the “no” votes.
* **Taipei:** KMT legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin is facing a recall vote within her district. Supporters view the vote as “a waste of resources” driven by “ideology,” while those in favor consider it as a demonstration of public opinion.
* **Hsinchu City:** Mayor Ko Wen-je, is currently suspended after being found guilty of corruption in the first instance. Her fate is also in the hands of voters.
**Voter Voices:**
Across Taiwan, voters expressed a range of motivations for participating in the recall election.
“I vote because I love Taiwan,” said Wang, a Taipei resident who returned to vote with her child. “I pay attention to national defense issues and hope politicians put Taiwan first.”
Li, a volunteer and Taipei resident, emphasized the importance of civic duty, stating, “People who are doing their jobs will be protected. Those who are irresponsible will not be.”
**Controversies and Concerns:**
* **Voting Irregularities:** In Hualien, a poll worker was accused of marking voters’ names on a separate sheet of paper, raising concerns about voter intimidation. An investigation is underway.
* **Vandalism:** Police arrested a man in Zhonghe District for allegedly damaging ballot boxes and concealing ballots.
* **”Bright Ticket” Incident:** KMT elder Zhao Shaokang allegedly violated election laws by displaying his marked ballot to the media, resulting in investigation.
**Political Implications:**
The outcome of these recall votes could have significant implications for Taiwan’s political landscape. Success could shift the balance of power in the Legislative Yuan and alter the political future of key figures. Failure, however, grants those targeted “golden protection” for their current term.
Analysts suggest that the recall effort showcases the vitality of Taiwan’s civil society but also carries the risk of further political polarization.
**International Interest:**
The Chinese State Council Taiwan Affairs Office criticized the recall effort as a political attack by the DPP, while Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council accused Beijing of interfering in the election by encouraging Taiwanese business people in China to return to vote.
**Turnout and Results:**
The results of the first round of recall votes will be announced by Taiwan’s Central Election Commission on August 1st. The outcome will have far-reaching consequences for Taiwan’s political landscape.
First Piper 