KMT Disciplines 24 Members with Expulsions and Revocations Ahead of Elections

On Oct. 14, the Kuomintang (KMT) Central Standing Committee approved two tiers of disciplinary actions targeting 24 party members ahead of the 24 local elections, including 10 expulsions and 14 party-registration revocations, news.ebc.net.tw reported. The sweeping disciplinary measures follow unauthorized candidate registrations and public endorsements of rival political figures across multiple counties and townships.

Disciplinary Penalties and Expulsions Issued by KMT Central Standing Committee

According to announcements from KMT Culture and Communications Committee Chairman Chen Yixin, the Central Disciplinary Committee reviewed and forwarded two tiers of penalties that were subsequently approved by the standing committee. The actions target local-level politicians who bypassed the party’s official nomination procedures or supported opposing camps.

The harsher penalty of expulsion applies to 10 individuals: Xu Cisheng, Zeng Tingjun, He Chuizhen, Liao Yijun, Liu Ruilin, Wu Limin, Liu Zhongshu, Xiang Xiuliang, Guo Jiacheng, and Chen Mingda. Newtalk新聞 and PChome Online 新聞 reported that Xu Cisheng ran for Taoyuan City Councilor under the People First Party banner, while Liu Zhongshu accepted a nomination from the New Power Party to run for Yilan County Councilor. Additional expulsions involve candidates running for township offices or backing rival mayoral contenders.

High-Profile Registrations Prompt Revocations and Suspensions

A total of 14 members face party-registration revocations, most notably former KMT Culture and Communications Committee Deputy Director and Spokesperson Ho Chih-yung, alongside former Lianjiang County Land Administration Bureau Director Cao Eryuan. Ho registered independently for the Hsinchu mayoral race after criticizing the party’s blue-white local electoral cooperation framework, while Cao entered the Lianjiang County executive race as an independent.

The revocation list also includes local councilors and township hopefuls such as Chen Maojia, Zhang Shuhua, Zhang Zhaoen, Lü Xueji, Liu Dingtang, Wan Zhongxing, Li Zhongxiang, Zhou Qiyang, Zheng Guizhong, Zheng Wanzheng, and Chen Wenfu.

Ho Chih-yung Criticizes Central Leadership Response

Following the announcement, Ho Chih-yung issued a public statement condemning the disciplinary action as a wrong direction that hurts allies and aids opponents. Newtalk新聞 noted that Ho accused the party leadership of prioritizing a blue-white electoral coalition while ignoring local governance controversies in Hsinchu and denying him a fair primary competition.

Ho stated that his independent mayoral run aims to serve residents whose needs have been unmet and to prevent municipal stagnation. He added that despite the central committee’s decision, he intends to maintain his commitment to his supporters and continue his campaign.

Reinstatement Restrictions and Future Party Standing

Under the Chinese Kuomintang Regulations on Disciplinary Actions against Party Members, disciplined individuals face strict timelines before they can seek readmission. Members who receive a party-registration revocation must wait three years before applying to restore their party status. Those who are formally expelled face a six-year waiting period before making any similar request.