CALD concludes 2nd observation mission to Taiwan

(December 4, 2005/ Taipei, Taiwan) The Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD) successfully completed today its election observation mission in Taiwan. The mission, jointly sponsored by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan and CALD, gave the delegates the opportunity to observe first hand the democracy in Taiwan through elections. It was also a venue for them to exchange campaign strategies and share best practices during their visit.

Last December 2004, CALD sent delegates to observe Taiwan’s legislative election. This year, a new set of observers from CALD member and observer parties have witnessed the 3-in-1 local elections for mayors, magistrates, and city council, a first in Taiwan’s history. The mission consisted of 15 representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The delegates visited Taipei city and county as well as Changhua and Taichung counties. They met with the campaign managers, rally coordinators, party workers, and volunteers of DPP candidates running for election.

On the first day, the delegation visited the DPP Headquarters and was received by Mr. Lee Yi-yang, DPP Secretary-General and Hon. Bi-Khim Hsiao, MP, Director of DPP’s Department of International Affairs and former CALD Secretary-General. They were also given a briefing about Taiwan’s election procedures at the Central Election Commission.

DPP’s magistrate seat has trickled down to 6 from their original 10 in the previous local election. Mr. Su Tseng-chang stepped down as DPP Chairman after the defeat. “The party should humbly accept the outcome, modestly face it, honestly reflect, and bravely push new reforms” Mr. Su said. The Liberal Party of the Philippines which assumed the CALD chairmanship from DPP sent a message of continued support for DPP despite the election turn out.

The mission secretariat consisted of Huai Hui Hsieh, Vincent Su, Lisa Tsai and Connie Chung of the DPP International Affairs Department and Paolo Zamora of CALD

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This post was written by CALD