With less than 10 days before the crucial Jan. 12 legislative election, the Cabinet and the CEC replaced incumbent Taichung panel chief Hsiao Jia-chi with Hsueh Chia-fa, recommended by the DPP.

It turned out that Hseuh is still being probed for his alleged running of a large-scale gambling operation, according to the indictment of prosecutors.

Lawmakers of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) paid a visit to CEC Chairman Chang Cheng-hsiung to question him about why he chose a controversial person like Hsueh to take charge of election affairs.

Chang locked himself up in his office and had a security guard prevent anyone from entering.

Chang said he refused to meet the lawmakers unless the reporters were sent away, according to the visitors.

Since the reporters refused to leave, Chang remained inside his office.

The visiting lawmakers said they will pay Chang another visit soon.

The lawmakers said that allowing a man who operates gambling to supervise election affairs is another absurd episode in Taiwan democracy.

For his part, Hsueh confirmed he was indicted by prosecutors in connection with illegal gambling operations.

But he clarified that he has nothing to do with the illegal gambling operation himself, adding that he was implicated in the case because of his involvement through a close friend.

However, in honor of the CEC appointment, Hsueh presided over the meeting of the Taichung Municipal Election Committee yesterday in his capacity as the new chairman of the panel.

But after the meeting, Hsueh read to reporters his resignation from the post as panel chairman in a move to assuage public protest.

Nevertheless, Hsueh said he will retain his seat as a member of the committee on behalf of the DPP to ensure impartial operations of the local election panel.

The KMT lawmakers said the case presented more evidence that the CEC has failed in its duty of maintaining an impartial stand, like a sports referee, to induce smooth election operations.

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