DPP ousts 18 members over independent local election bids

Taipei, Sept. 24 (CNA) The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said Thursday it had expelled 18 party members, including former Changhua City Mayor Chiu Chien-fu (邱建富) and Taipei City Councilor Chen E-jun (陳怡君), for running in the Nov. 28 local elections without party backing.

The DPP's Central Review Committee announced the decision after meeting Wednesday to review disciplinary cases related to the 2026 local elections.

The committee cited party nomination rules under which members who quit the DPP to run for office or enter races without party authorization are deemed to have violated party discipline.

Among those expelled was Chiu, who announced an independent bid for Changhua County magistrate in June after losing the DPP primary election for the post.

Chen was also expelled after announcing that she would seek reelection to Taipei City Council despite having previously had her rights as a party member suspended for two years and six months.

Chen was sentenced to seven years and 10 months in prison for corruption by the Shilin District Court in January. The case may be appealed.

Separately, the DPP's Central Review Committee expelled former legislative assistant Chu Cheng-chi (朱政騏) on May 13 after Taipei prosecutors indicted him in April on charges of selling confidential Legislative Yuan documents to China.

The DPP said Chu's alleged involvement in a Chinese espionage case had damaged its reputation.

Chu subsequently announced an independent bid for a Taipei City Council seat in June.

The expulsions come as Taiwan prepares to hold local elections on Nov. 28 in which voters will choose mayors and county magistrates, city and county councilors, township mayors and councilors, and village and ward chiefs.