TPP to hold leadership election online Feb. 15

Taipei, Jan. 13 (CNA) The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) has announced that it will hold an online election Feb. 15 to choose a new leader, replacing its former Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), who is embroiled in a corruption scandal.

Currently in detention on corruption charges, Ko resigned as leader of the opposition TPP on Jan. 1. Lawmaker Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) was selected as the TPP's acting chairperson the same day, during a meeting of the party's central committee.

According to an announcement posted Monday on the TPP's website, potential candidates for the party's chairmanship can register online from Tuesday to Friday this week.

The candidacy is open only to current or former members of the TPP's central committee who have held party membership for at least a year, the announcement states.

The candidates will present their policies on Feb. 8 and Feb. 14, and eligible TPP members will vote online from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 15, the party said.

Under TPP regulations, voters in its leadership election must have held membership for at least four months.

The new TPP leader's term of office -- the second in the history of the party since it was established by former Taipei Mayor Ko in 2019 -- will run from Feb. 19, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026, the party said.