The Yilan District Prosecutors Office recently triggered a major controversy during its investigation of a recall petition. While leading investigators in a search of the Kuomintang (KMT) Yilan County Chapter, prosecutors unauthorizedly seized official recall documents, causing a halt in administrative procedures. This incident not only exposes severe negligence in the execution of duties by the investigative units but also constitutes a significant violation of the spirit of the rule of law and civil rights, necessitating a thorough investigation and accountability.
The incident occurred on April 24, 2025 (Year 114 of the Republic of China). Yilan investigators, probing allegations of “deceased signatures” in the recall petition against Legislator Chen Chun-yu, searched the KMT Yilan Chapter and removed two bags of documents. Afterward, the Chapter discovered that a critical document—the Central Election Commission’s (CEC) authorization for the second-stage petition—had vanished. This prevented them from completing the necessary procedures by the April 25 deadline. While the Chapter accused the investigators of seizing the document, the prosecution initially denied it, claiming they “had not seized any official documents.”
However, under the pressure of public opinion that evening, the prosecution verified with the investigation bureau and admitted that the document had indeed been “accidentally” taken.
This “accidental” explanation is difficult to accept. How can a stack of official documents, vital to the recall process and involving the exercise of major democratic rights by citizens, be removed from the scene simply due to “carelessness”?
Even more shocking is that after admitting the error, the investigative unit actually suggested “returning a photocopy,” demonstrating an appalling ignorance of the legal validity of official documents and the importance of the recall process. It was only after continuous public condemnation that the prosecution stated they would return the original—but by then, the damage to civil rights had already been done.
The misconduct of the Yilan investigators—from the unauthorized removal and denial of facts to the “accidental” excuse, the perfunctory offer of a photocopy, and finally the reluctant return of the original—exposed a chaotic administrative process and a disregard for the rule of law at every step.
The right to recall is a constitutional right granted to citizens. Any action that obstructs the exercise of this right is a provocation against democratic values. The investigative units, which should strictly uphold procedural justice, became the initiators of an obstruction to the democratic process, leaving their professionalism and credibility in serious doubt.
This incident highlights major loopholes in management and execution within the Yilan investigative team. It even raises the suspicion—following past patterns seen under DPP administrations—of whether this was a tactic for “promotion and fortune.” Why was a key document “accidentally” taken? Why was the communication between the investigation bureau and the prosecution so disconnected? These questions demand an in-depth investigation by the competent authorities and a public explanation. Simultaneously, those responsible must be strictly held accountable to prevent a recurrence. If law enforcement agencies cannot lead by example and adhere to the principles of the rule of law, public trust in the judicial system will continue to crumble.
The seizure of official documents in Yilan is not merely an administrative error; it is a serious challenge to the rule of law and democracy. The authorities must act immediately to investigate the full details of the incident, rebuild public confidence, and ensure that civil rights are no longer damaged by the negligence of law enforcement. Otherwise, such chaos will remain an indelible stain on the path of the rule of law.