Key role for student vote in pivotal Taiwanese presidential poll

Exams rescheduled and special trains laid on to get students home to participate in ballot

Times Higher Education
Date: January 5, 2020
By: Joyce Lau

Taiwanese students were heading home early before the Lunar New Year break so they could vote in the 11 January presidential election, seen as a bellwether for the self-governed island’s relationship with the rest of the region. The race is between the incumbent, Tsai Ing-wen, a Western-educated lawyer, and Han Kuo-yu, a conservative mayor whose party is closer to the Chinese authorities.

Most major universities have rescheduled exams, as requested several months ago by the Ministry of Education, and some schools are even planning special train services to get students home in time to cast their ballots, the Taiwan News reported.

Young voters make up a powerful demographic. According to a 29 December poll by the TVBS cable station, 63 per cent of those in their twenties preferred Dr Tsai, compared with 24 per cent backing Mr Han. Among the general public, 45 per cent supported Dr Tsai and 29 per cent supported Mr Han.

“Democracy cannot be sustained if it does not get the younger generations actively participating,” Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at SOAS University of London, told Times Higher Education. “So making arrangements to enable young people to vote is a sound policy for a democracy.    [FULL  STORY]