Taiwan approves recall law referendum proposals

The Central Election Commission has approved three referendum proposals seeking to repeal recent amendments to the Public Officials Election and Recall Act. These proposals challenge requirements for identification copies and penalties for identity misuse in recall petitions. The approved referendums aim to abolish provisions mandating the submission of identification copies with recall proposals and signatures, as well as criminal penalties for using personal data without consent in the signature process. The Commission will now request household registration offices to verify the petitioner lists. These amendments, passed by the Legislative Yuan in late 2024 and effective February 2025, stipulated that recall proposals and signatures must include photocopies of identification, with penalties for misuse. The Commission's decision follows a review of supplementary documents submitted by the proponents.