New rules to require candidates to declare nationality status

Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA) The Ministry of Interior (MOI) will tighten rules for candidates running for public offices, requiring them to declare that they do not hold household registration or a passport issued by China, and that they do not possess citizenship of any other country.

The requirement is set out in a draft amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act released by the MOI on Thursday.

Under the proposal, candidates would need to make the declaration when submitting their registration forms, and their citizenship status, as declared, would be published in the official election bulletin.

The move follows the recent removal of several elected officials for holding People's Republic of China nationality.

Citing Article 20 of the Nationality Act, the ministry said Republic of China (Taiwan) nationals who also hold foreign nationality cannot serve as elected officials. Those who do must apply to relinquish their foreign nationality before assuming office and provide proof of renunciation within one year of taking office.

Under Article 9 of the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, "people of the Taiwan Area may not hold household registration in the Mainland Area or possess passports issued by the Mainland Area," or they will lose their Taiwanese status and civil rights.

The ministry explained that having household registration in the mainland refers to possessing a Chinese ID card or a resident permit issued by China.