Media and Elections

Taiwan

ME037

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time

Question:	What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):	a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Comments:	In the nationwide and overseas legistators part of the Legislative Yuan election, the candidates political party can submit advertisement campaign videos to the CEC. After review, the CEC will purchase advertisement time slots, equally allocating time to each political party.
Source:	Official Website of the Central Election Commission: http://engweb.cec.gov.tw/files/11-1030-3861.php (2012); International Committee for Fair Elections in Taiwan, Report on the National Election in Taiwan, January 14, 2012: http://www.taiwanelections.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Taiwan-2012-Elections-IEOM-Final-Report.pdf (2012)
Verified:	2020/04/13

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ME059

Television debates

Question:	Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):	a. Yes, in presidential elections b. Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:	For the election of President and Vice President, the Central Election Commission shall provide the candidates with hours to express their politics through national wireless TV channel at public expenses, and each group of candidates shall have not less than 30 minutes every time, and the designated TV stations may not refuse. The operating regulations shall be prescribed by the Central Election Commission. With the consent of two or more groups of candidates, an individual or association may hold a national wireless TV debate; the TV station shall undertake such debate and may apply to the Central Election Commission for subsidy. Regulations governing the subsidy shall be prescribed by the Central Election Commission. The TV debate for President referred to in the preceding Paragraph may be held up to three times, and every time each candidate has up to 30 minutes. The TV debate for Vice President may be held similarly, but shall be held only once. The candidates shall be responsible for the contents of the politics or debate referred to in Paragraphs One and Two by themselves.
Source:	International Committee for Fair Elections in Taiwan, Report on the National Election in Taiwan, January 14, 2012: http://www.taiwanelections.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Taiwan-2012-Elections-IEOM-Final-Report.pdf (2012) Article 45 Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act https://law.moj.gov.tw/ENG/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=D0020053
Verified:	2020/04/13

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ME062

Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.

Question:	What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:	f. 10 or more days
Comments:	During the period from 10 days before the polling day to the deadline for voting, any political party or person may not, by any means, issue any investigation questionnaire on the candidates or the public opinion about the election, and also may not report, diffuse, review or cite it.
Source:	Article 52, Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act https://law.moj.gov.tw/ENG/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=D0020053
Verified:	2020/04/13

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ME080

Question:	Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	The maximum of campaign fund of a same group of candidates shall be prescribed by the Central Election Commission, and publicized on the same day when the public notice for election is issued. The maximum of campaign fund referred to in the preceding Paragraph shall be the sum of the product of 70% of the total population in the free regions of the ROC multiplied by the basic amount of NT$20 plus NT$100,000,000. If the maximum of campaign fund has a mantissa of less than NT$1000, it shall be rounded to NT$1000 by transfer method. The total population in the free regions of the ROC referred to in Paragraph Two refers to the total population counted up in household statistics at the end of the sixth month before the month of polling.
Source:	Article 38, Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act https://law.moj.gov.tw/ENG/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=D0020053
Verified:	2020/04/13

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