Lee Chin-yung named to head Central Election Commission

Taipei, Feb. 25 (CNA) The Executive Yuan has nominated former Yunlin County Magistrate Lee Chin-yung (李進勇) as chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Cabinet spokesperson Kolas Yotaka (谷辣斯‧尤達卡) said Monday.

The nomination will be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review, Kolas said in a statement.

The Cabinet also appointed Chuang Ching-ta (莊慶達), a professor emeritus at National Taiwan Ocean University Institute of Marine Affairs and Resources Management, vice minister of the Ocean Affairs Council, Kolas added.

In addition, Huang Chin-cheng (黃金城), vice administrative minister of the Council of Agriculture, has been appointed vice political minister of the council, Kolas said.

Commenting on the CEC head nominee, Kolas said Lee has considerable experience in legal affairs and as a former local government head is also familiar with election work, adding that as a veteran government official, Lee is expected to be an outstanding CEC chairman.

Lee will succeed Chen In-chin (陳英鈐), who resigned the day after Nov. 24, 2018 local government elections and referendums amid heavy criticism over his handling of election work and vote counting chaos.

Since Chen's resignation, the CEC has been headed by acting chairman Chen Chao-chien (陳朝建).

Lee, who earned a Master's degree in law at National Taiwan University, was previously a judge on the Hualien, Yilan and Taichung district courts, according to Kolas.

He also served as a Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker at the Legislative Yuan, Keelung Mayor, vice interior minister, vice minister of the Public Construction Commission, vice justice minister, and vice minister of transportation and communications before becoming Yunlin County magistrate in 2014.

In the Nov. 24 election, Lee failed in his bid to secure a second term, losing to Kuomintang candidate Chang Li-shan (張麗善).

As for Chuang, Kolas said in addition to his academic achievements, he has held several posts in ocean and agriculture related affairs such as head of the Taiwan Fisheries Economic Development Association and the Rural Economical Society of Taiwan.

Huang has served as the COA's vice administrative minister since June 2016, Kolas said.