New taipei: Less than 24 hours before the commencement of recall votes targeting seven Kuomintang (KMT) legislators, the opposition party mobilized supporters in New Taipei on Friday to advocate for “no” votes, while recall groups and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) intensified efforts to garner backing for the removal of these lawmakers. “Vote ‘no’ on the recall on Aug. 23,” resonated through the rally held in Xindian District, the constituency of eight-term KMT lawmaker Lo Ming-tsai, whose political future will be determined by the Saturday recall vote.

According to Focus Taiwan, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu of the KMT voiced his confusion over the necessity of the recall, especially since President Lai Ching-te’s tenure began in May last year, three recall drives have already been initiated. Han criticized Lai, who also chairs the DPP, highlighting the unsuccessful recall campaigns against Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang last October, the July 26 votes targeting 24 KMT legislators and Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an which also failed, and the impending recalls against seven KMT lawmakers.

The July 26 and August 23 recall votes are unprecedented campaigns launched by informal civic groups with DPP support, aiming to unseat most KMT lawmakers. Besides Lo, Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang of Taichung, Ma Wen-chun and Yu Hao of Nantou County, Lin Szu-ming of Hsinchu County, and Yen Kuan-heng and Yang Chiung-ying of Taichung are also facing recall votes.

Han warned that a Legislative Yuan solely composed of DPP members would nullify Taiwan’s democratic progress, jeopardizing fundamental democratic principles of oversight and checks and balances in the Republic of China’s Legislative Yuan. Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang underscored that after all 24 KMT legislators withstood the July 26 recall, the DPP proceeded with further recalls, targeting seven opposition lawmakers set for Saturday. Huang stated that a rejection at the ballot box would signal to Lai that “the people of Taiwan have had enough of the DPP’s authoritarianism.”

Huang, advocating for a pro-nuclear national referendum coinciding with the recalls, urged voters to support the “decisive ballot” for Taiwan’s energy transition. He encouraged voters to extend the operation of the Third Nuclear Power Plant, proposing it would benefit Taiwan’s future development and reduce electricity bills. The plebiscite, proposed by the TPP and supported by the KMT, seeks to restart the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County, which was decommissioned in mid-May, leaving Taiwan without operating nuclear power facilities. The DPP has urged its supporters to oppose the proposal.

A rally supporting the recall was also held in Taichung, where DPP lawmaker Puma Shen asserted the inherent nature of recalls in the Taiwanese people’s hearts. Shen emphasized the necessity for elected officials to remain accountable to the people, portraying the KMT’s actions as undermining civic movements and Taiwan’s democratic system. Shen pointed out that prior to the July 26 votes, six recall attempts against KMT lawmakers failed, with none of those legislators being re-elected.

Tung Hsiang-lan, who initiated the recall against Yen, clarified that the movement was driven by a deep love for Taiwan, rather than personal or political gain. Shen and Tung both highlighted the importance of civic movements in serving as a check on elected officials, ensuring accountability and fostering democratic principles in Taiwan.