Deputy Minister's Concurrent Role on CEC Questioned; Huang Mou-hsin: Independence Unchanged

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 10) The Executive Yuan has nominated Deputy Minister of Justice Huang Mou-hsin as a commissioner of the Central Election Commission (CEC). Opposition lawmakers expressed concern over whether his administrative identity as a political appointee could be separated from the CEC's independence. Huang stated that his independence in his role at the Ministry of Justice, which involves overseeing election bribery prevention, would not qualitatively change upon joining the CEC. He added that his core value as a prosecutor for 30 years is independence.

The Legislative Yuan voted on March 13 to approve the nominations of CEC Chairperson You Ying-long and three other commissioners, while rejecting the nominations of Vice Chairperson Hu Bo-yen and two others. On April 21, the Executive Yuan appointed You Ying-long and three others, and additionally nominated former Executive Yuan Counselor Shen Shu-fei as commissioner and vice chairperson, along with lawyers Tsai Wei-jhe and Huang Mou-hsin as CEC commissioners. The Legislative Yuan's Internal Affairs Committee reviewed these nominations today.

Taiwan People's Party Legislator Hung Yu-hsiang questioned how Huang, as a political appointee in the Ministry of Justice, could maintain the CEC's requirement for independence and neutrality beyond party affiliation if appointed.

Huang responded that the overlapping work between the Ministry of Justice and the CEC is in election bribery prevention, which he believes is a universal value regardless of the agency. He emphasized that his independence in the administrative role of preventing bribery at the Ministry of Justice would not qualitatively change upon moving to the CEC. Furthermore, he stated that his 30-year career as a prosecutor has been defined by independence as his core value and highest personal standard.

When Hung pressed whether he would resign from his political post if appointed as a CEC commissioner, Huang explained that according to the Central Election Commission Organization Act, CEC commissioners serve as unpaid, concurrent positions; only the chairperson and vice chairperson are full-time roles.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Li Po-yi, who convenes the Internal Affairs Committee, disagreed with the opposition's claim that a Ministry of Justice deputy minister with a prosecutor background would be administratively biased.

Huang emphasized that in his 30-year career as a prosecutor, he has never faced political pressure regarding how to handle cases, nor has he ever exerted such pressure on his subordinates.

Kuomintang Legislator Hsu Hsin-ying questioned whether Huang could sever ties with executive power and uphold the CEC's independence and professionalism, stating that a CEC commissioner should not be a political representative dispatched by the Ministry of Justice.

Huang reiterated that the impartiality, independence, and law-based administration of a prosecutor are his lifelong directives and personal requirements. This DNA will not change simply because he joins the CEC. As a CEC commissioner, whether by legal requirement or public expectation, he is required to be objective and neutral, and he is confident that no one can challenge his independence and objectivity. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150610