3 Referendums Tied to General Election Passed, May Burn 14 Billion; Yu Ying-long Sighs in Relief

The Kuomintang and the Taiwan People's Party proposed six referendum items, but the Legislative Yuan passed three on December 14. These include the People's Party's proposal to use all traffic fine revenues to improve road safety and subsidize public transportation, as well as the KMT's proposals for flogging and the abolition of the nuclear-free homeland. Yu Ying-long, the CEC chair, smiled and said that the legislature passing three referendum items instead of the original six is a positive development. He estimated the cost at approximately 11 billion NT dollars for one item, 12-13 billion for two, and 14 billion for three. Yu previously described three referendum items as 'unbearable,' urging the legislature to consider the capacity of the election system. However, he now says the legislature's decision is 'something to be happy about and commendable,' showing a rational approach to the number of referendums appropriate for a general election. Yu said the CEC will expedite the review, but the final number of referendums is still uncertain. However, he believes the 300,000 election workers across Taiwan will be relieved that the number was reduced from six to three. In response to media questions, Yu said the situation is developing in the direction he expected, which is a good thing. Taiwan's recent developments have sometimes been frustrating, but today 'I see hope.' Regarding his 'expected direction,' Yu said he cannot pre-set expectations for individual cases, as the CEC would be criticized for not being impartial. Yu said he cannot predict the outcome, as the CEC committee is the most diverse in decades, with members from various parties, making the result highly uncertain. There is also interest in whether the referendum ballots will be issued separately or combined. Yu said the amendment has not yet passed and hopes the legislature will respect election expertise and avoid hasty legislation, which would benefit no one. He emphasized that 'one vote for multiple referendums' requires many supporting measures and cannot solve all problems, calling such a view unrealistic.