Nuclear referendum debate to be televised

Five televised forums or debates on a referendum about whether to abolish Taiwan’s policy of creating a “nuclear-free homeland” are to begin on Nov. 12, the Central Election Commission (CEC) announced on Friday.

The referendum asks whether voters support the government using nuclear power to boost Taiwan’s economy and abolishing its “nuclear-free homeland” policy, the CEC said.

The referendum question was put forward by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and supported by the Taiwan People’s Party.

The Central Election Commission plaque in Taipei is pictured in an undated photograph.

Photo: Taipei Times

The two parties hold a majority of seats in the Legislature.

In order to ensure both sides have an opportunity to present their views, the CEC said it decided on Friday to hold five forums or debates on nationwide television.

The Legislative Yuan would represent the side supporting the referendum, while the Executive Yuan or those opposing it would represent the other side.

The five sessions are to be held during the following dates and times: 3pm on Nov. 12, 7pm on Nov. 14, 3pm on Nov. 16, 10am on Nov. 18 and 7pm on Nov. 20.

People seeking to represent either side at the forums or debates must first obtain CEC approval to establish an office under Article 20 of the Referendum Act (公民投票法).

Both sides must submit the names of their representatives to the CEC by Oct. 15.

The referendum would be held alongside Taiwan’s nine-in-one local elections on Nov. 28, when voters would elect city and county leaders, local councilors and other local officials.

The referendum would be Taiwan’s fourth on nuclear power since 2018.

Voters in 2018 backed removing a legal requirement to end nuclear power generation by last year.

However, in 2021 and last year they rejected referendums to complete Taiwan’s mothballed Fourth Nuclear Power Plant and extend the operation of the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant.