More than 19 million people will vote in Taiwanese local elections this Saturday

Voting started at 08:00 (local time). on an election day with up to 11,000 positions elected in all municipalities of the countryAs reported by Taiwanese agency CNA.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), there are more than 17,649 open polling stations across the country, employing about 300,000 election workers.

However, some people will face significant hurdles in going to the polls, especially after the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announcement. A fine of up to 62,000 euros for those infected with COVID-19 breaking the mandatory quarantine to vote in person at a ballot box.

As detailed by the aforementioned institution, Taiwan currently does not allow voting by mail or similar means, meaning that people with coronavirus are strictly prohibited from voting. CECC estimated that 65 thousand people will not be able to vote.

At issue in Saturday’s election are the mayors of Taiwan’s six largest cities: Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as mayors and judges from 15 other cities and counties across the country.

in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, Democratic Progressive Party candidate Chen Shih Chungwho previously headed the Ministry of Health and Welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic, Confronts Chiang Wang AnPeople’s Party’s Ko Wen Je and independent candidate Huang Shan Shan will also run for mayor of the capital, according to the CNA.

Along with the municipal elections, a referendum is held to lower the legal age to vote and be elected to 18.

if the referendum passes Lowering the voting age to 18 will require an amendment to Taiwan’s ConstitutionIt is a process that will take place for the first time as a result of the referendum.

The minimum threshold for approval of the referendum is ‘Yes’. 50 percent of 19.24 million voters called for voting.