Han blasted for asking supporters to boycott recall vote

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Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu is being accused of electoral obstruction ahead of his recall vote on June 6. In a video released on social media, Han encouraged his supporters not to use their ballot on Election Day. Instead, they''re asked to head out to the polls to "watch the electoral process." Han''s call is raising concerns about voter suppression and intimidation, incensing his critics.

While giving an administrative report at Kaohsiung City Council, Mayor Han apologized to the people of Kaohsiung for his presidential bid.

Han Kuo-yu
Kaohsiung mayor
I want to offer my deepest apology to the people of the city for my actions last year, when I took three months off to run for president. I am so sorry. Having the mayor away made the people of the city concerned and anxious.

He quoted from a Song dynasty poem to express his wish to do all he can for the good of Kaohsiung.

The apology found little favor with Wecare, the organizers of the campaign to have Han removed from office.

Aaron Yin
Wecare Kaohsiung organizer
This is the apology of a pathetic man. These are crocodile tears. This fake apology is completely lacking in sincerity.

Han Kuo-yu
Kaohsiung mayor
That question is… ahem, certainly rather shocking. I can''t turn back the hands of time. But when I decided to run for president, I had a passionate sense of purpose in wanting to serve the country and serve this land, Kaohsiung.

The Non-Partisan Solidarity Union asked whether Han has taken any time to contemplate why his constituents want him out.

DPP councilors expressed outrage at a recent Facebook post in which Han asked his supporters to boycott the recall vote and merely observe the balloting.

Han Kuo-yu
Kaohsiung mayor
To all my friends outside the city, do not come back to Kaohsiung on June 6. Just sending me your good wishes is enough. Secondly, to my supporters and friends in Kaohsiung, please do not cast a vote. Just come out to oversee the balloting process, that''s enough.

Aaron Yin
Wecare Kaohsiung organizer
What is Han Kuo-yu''s balloting oversight thing, really? It''s actually scrutinizing who is voting. I can only ask everybody to, firstly, don''t be scared, and secondly, put on a big hat and a face mask, and come and cast your vote.

Lin Chih-hung
Kaohsiung DPP councilor
I remember you said a just and honorable loss is better than a contemptible win. Well, telling people not to vote is a classic election fraud tactic. It''s a dishonest tactic, and it''s contemptible.

Chen Chih-chung
Kaohsiung DPP councilor
All of your actions are designed to wipe out the recall vote and to overpower it. We believe this is anti-democratic, anti-constitutional, illegal, and a disaster for constitutional democracy.

The director-general of Kaohsiung''s Civil Affairs Bureau, Tsao Huan-Jung曹桓榮, has sent his supporters Line messages, encouraging them to boycott the recall vote. DPP lawmaker Shen Fa-hui沈發惠 says that will intimidate some who want to vote for Han''s removal. He pressed the Central Election Commission to comment on the case.

Shen Fa-hui
DPP lawmaker
Do these tactics not mark out people who go to cast votes? As they go to the polling station, and wait in line, and take their ballot, it marks them out as people who want to recall Han Kuo-yu. It just destroys the meaning of the secret ballot.

Lee Chin-yung
Central Election Commission chairman
If a local official in charge of overseeing civil affairs, in charge of electoral matters, has made these comments, then, yes, indeed, this needs to be inspected.

Legislator Shen has filed a criminal complaint against the Kaohsiung official, accusing him of electoral obstruction. The chief of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, Huang Ming-chao黃明昭, could only confirm that all allegations will be investigated.

YouTube url:	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxHu7j6nVbo
Created:	18. 5. 2020 20:00:02

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Han blasted for asking supporters to boycott recall vote