SHENANIGANS:Political analysts have speculated that Lee Chuan-chiao might resign before a vote-buying verdict is announced, then try to reclaim his seat in a by-election

Taipei Times
Date: , Apr 24, 2016
By: Jason Pan / Staff reporter

Tainan Mayor William Lai (賴清德) yesterday called on Lee Chuan-chiao (李全教) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) to resign as speaker of the Tainan City Council and urged lawmakers to close a legal loophole that might allow Lee to run in a by-election for his seat on the council.

In accordance with the Civil Servants Election and Recall Act (公職人員選舉罷免法), Lee, who on Friday was sentenced to a four-year prison term by the Tainan District Court for vote-buying in the city council’s speakership election on Dec. 25, 2014, was suspended from his position as speaker.

Lee was also found guilty on Jan. 21 this year of buying votes in November 2014 during his campaign for city councilor.

The ruling invalidated his electoral victory, but Lee still holds a seat representing the city’s Yuching District (玉井), because he appealed the ruling.

The Tainan City Government said that since Friday it has received many telephone calls from angry residents complaining that Lee is still receiving a monthly salary of about NT$370,000 as well as other subsidies and allowances, because he still has a seat on the council.     [FULL  STORY]