100 Days Until Nine-in-One Elections! 600,000 First-Time Voters – You Ying-long: Legislature 'Slows Down Referendum Review Progress'

With 100 days remaining until the November 28 Nine-in-One election, the Central Election Commission (CEC) officially released the announcement for local public official elections today (20th). CEC Chairperson You Ying-long stated that this year’s first-time voters number approximately 600,000. The CEC and its affiliated local election commissions have consistently approached election preparations with the spirit of celebrating a joyous occasion, committing to complete their mission with the most rigorous attitude, professional capability, and unwavering confidence.

Regarding the progress of referendum case reviews, You explained that while the CEC had hoped to review the three referendum cases passed by the legislature as quickly as possible, it only received the official documents from the Legislative Yuan on the evening of the 18th, leaving insufficient preparation time. As a result, the committee meeting originally scheduled for August 21 to review the three referendum cases has been postponed to August 28.

You Ying-long: CEC Approaches Elections with a 'Celebratory' Mindset

Today (20th), the CEC held a press conference titled 'Reporting to the People.' You stated in his remarks that today's official announcement of the 2026 local public official elections is not merely a formal notice, but symbolizes the official launch of the 2026 Nine-in-One local elections.

On November 28, the Nine-in-One local elections will be held, electing 11,051 local public officials across 8,906 constituencies, involving 8,906 types of ballots and 18,244 polling stations. Nearly 250,000 election staff will be mobilized, exceeding 300,000 if referendums are included.

You stated that from today onward, the legal election procedures officially begin. Political parties and candidates will enter competition, voters will begin considering their choices, and national election authorities will fully enter a state of readiness. The CEC’s responsibility is to ensure that every qualified candidate competes fairly, every voter casts their ballot freely, every vote is accurately counted—no more, no less—and every election result is trustworthy to the people.

You emphasized that in the face of such a massive and complex election, the CEC and all levels of local election commissions will administer election affairs strictly and professionally, upholding impartiality, fairness, neutrality, objectivity, and professionalism in accordance with the law. 'Without free elections, there is no democracy'—this remains our unchanging belief. The CEC and its affiliated local election commissions have always approached election preparations with the spirit of celebrating a joyous occasion, committing to complete the historic mission entrusted to us with the most rigorous attitude, professional capability, and unwavering confidence and determination.

You also mentioned that, according to CEC estimates, this year’s first-time voters number slightly over 600,000, with the total electorate around 19.65 million.

CEC Establishes Deepfake Audio-Visual Prevention Task Force – You: Preventing Election Impact

You stated that the CEC established a deepfake audio-visual prevention task force in August. Both the CEC and its 22 affiliated election commissions have implemented similar mechanisms. Recently, the CEC has collaborated with the Supreme Prosecutors Office and national security agencies to jointly study effective measures to prevent the harm and impact of deepfakes on elections, establishing institutional mechanisms with more comprehensive practices than in the past.

You emphasized that this initiative is 'precautionary,' anticipating potential issues and ensuring preparedness. In fact, deepfake impacts on elections are not unique to Taiwan; countries worldwide face similar challenges, and every democratic nation remains vigilant. Regardless of the election level, the CEC is making its best preparations with a precautionary mindset.

KMT Criticizes 'Letter from Prosecutors' as Intimidation – You: This is a Necessary Reminder

When asked about recent letters sent by local prosecutors to village chiefs reminding them not to accept bribes or hospitality and not to assist Chinese interference in elections—warning that violations could breach the Anti-Infiltration Act—the KMT questioned whether this constituted political intimidation.

You responded that purifying election conduct is a crucial part of election work. Village chiefs are grassroots civil servants, and reminding them not to accept improper hospitality or gifts to improve election integrity 'is not problematic; this is a necessary reminder.'

You Reveals Legislative Yuan Sent Documents on the 18th – CEC to Review 3 Referendums on August 28

Regarding the progress of referendum reviews, You explained that while the CEC had hoped to review the three referendum cases passed by the legislature as quickly as possible, it only received the official documents from the Legislative Yuan on the evening of the 18th, leaving insufficient preparation time. As a result, the committee meeting originally scheduled for August 21 to review the three referendum cases has been postponed to August 28. The number of referendum cases that will pass must be determined by the committee mechanism.

You reiterated that more referendums mean later vote counting. In the 2022 Nine-in-One local elections with one referendum, vote counting concluded at 11:40 PM. Considering timing, three referendums would likely extend vote counting to around 1:00–2:00 AM.