Terry Gou kicks off signature campaign for independent presidential run
ROC Central News Agency
09/20/2023 03:36 PM
Taipei, Sept. 20 (CNA) Independent presidential contender Terry Gou (郭台銘) kicked off a signature drive throughout Taiwan on Wednesday in his bid to gather at least 289,667 backers by Nov. 2, and subsequently secure his place on the ballot as a presidential candidate for the 2024 election.
The signature collection sites are in Taipei, New Taipei, Yilan County, Taichung, Miaoli County, Changhua County, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County and Pingtung County, the Hon Hai founder announced via social media on Tuesday.
Ever since Gou declared his independent presidential candidacy, his popularity has consistently lagged behind the other three presidential candidates -- New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜), Taiwan People's Party Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), and the incumbent Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), who chairs the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
According to an online media outlet Formosa opinion poll conducted between Sept.13-15, around the time Gou announced his running mate, Lai was in the lead with 35.2 percent of support. The main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) candidate, Hou, followed with 20 percent and former Taipei Mayor Ko had 17.5 percent. Gou trailed behind with 10.3 percent.
Another recent poll by the online media outlet CNEWS had Lai in the lead with 28 percent, followed by Ko with 22.6 percent. Meanwhile, Hou had garnered 16.3 percent, and Gou had 13.7 percent of the vote.
Speaking outside Gou's Taipei signature collection site on Wednesday, a retired public servant, surnamed Sung (宋), told CNA that he had applied the "elimination method" before deciding to sign the petition.
"Ko is an opportunist who aligns himself with whatever suits his interests. Hou may be suitable as a city mayor, but taking on a national leadership role is beyond him," he said, without providing additional details.
"As for the ruling party, I believe it has mishandled Taiwan, which makes Lai an unfavorable candidate. So, the only viable option we have now is Gou," Sung added.
However, 62-year-old Chang (張) told CNA that she was concerned about Gou's China connections, but that she still supported him becoming Taiwan's next leader because 'he has done many good deeds.'
Gou, despite his significant shareholding in Hon Hai, the multi-billion company he founded that earns most of its revenue from assets in China, stated in August that he wouldn't give in when asked how he would respond as a national leader if Chinese authorities applied pressure on him.
According to the Central Election Commission, the announcement regarding whether he has garnered enough signatures will be made by Nov. 14.
Even if he succeeds, Gou will still have to address the issue of his running mate, Tammy Lai (賴佩霞), being a dual national. Lai will be required to renounce her U.S. citizenship -- a process that can take up to six months -- no later than Nov. 24 to be eligible to run in the election.
(By Chung Yu-chen)
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