According to Taiwanese media reports, "nine-in-one" election opened registration yesterday (29th). A councillor in Taoyuan City received a call from the police asking whether he needed to send a escort, which caused doubts about wasting police force. Taoyuan City Police Department responded that no one has applied for candidates in the city, nor has they been assigned to them actively. If there are applicants, they will also review them. Only when they are confirmed to be in danger will they be assigned, and the limit is 1 person.
Taoyuan City Police Bureau’s work report to the parliament is the first show of the police chief Xu Xirong. Huang Wanru, a councillor who challenged the ten consecutive dominances, questioned that she received a call from the police a few days ago asking whether she needed to send a escort. It was the first time she had been a public opinion representative in many years, questioning: "If every candidate wants it, can you bear it?"
It is estimated that there are about 80 candidates for municipal councillors in Taoyuan and Zhongli . The candidates for each district councillor, plus representatives of Fuxing District, district mayors, etc., have at least 100 candidates.
Taoyuan City Police Department responded that according to the provisions of the "Police Agency Implementing the 2022 Local Public Official Election Candidate Safety Maintenance Plan" issued by the Police Department on August 10 this year, there are two ways to dispatch candidates for escorts. The first is that the candidate applies on his own, and the second is that if the police believe that the candidate's personal safety is infringed or endangered, they can actively assign the guards according to their authority.
Police said that the requirements for application for escort approval include the candidate status, the person or family members or campaign headquarters personnel are subject to any intimidation or violence, or the body armor can be provided, and the candidate's residence, campaign office and campaign activities can be strengthened, or the guard guard personnel are dispatched, based on the principle of one person.
Police said that except for the current mayor Zheng Wencan, Speaker Qiu Yisheng and Deputy Speaker Li Xiaozhong, there are currently no application for mayor or councillor candidates to participate (wait) for election, and the police station has not actively assigned it.
As for whether it will affect the police force? The police said that at present, 48 police officers were selected in the bureau, all of which completed security guard training and were listed for use. After review, candidates were faced with specific hazards, so they needed to dispatch guards to avoid affecting the normal operation of the police force.
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