Wang Jian-sheng faces scrutiny over sexual assault record during Taipei election

Wang Jian-sheng, a candidate for the Wufen Village Li-zhang (neighborhood chief) position in Neihu District, Taipei, has faced intense scrutiny following the disclosure of his criminal record. Wang was previously sentenced to one year and ten months in prison for an attempted sexual assault against a colleague's girlfriend in 2018. Although he has completed his sentence, his candidacy has sparked a debate regarding the eligibility of individuals with sexual offense records to hold local office.

Political figures have expressed conflicting views on the matter. Wu Hsin-tai, a candidate for city council, criticized the candidacy and questioned whether individuals with such backgrounds should be allowed to hold public power, emphasizing the public's right to know. Conversely, Chen You-cheng suggested that while the crime should be condemned, rehabilitated individuals should be given opportunities to reintegrate into society.

The Taipei City Election Commission stated that attempted sexual assault does not fall under the category of crimes that result in a lifetime ban from running for office. However, the Commission noted that eligibility will be determined based on whether the specific terms of the sentence, such as deprivation of civil rights, are still in effect or have been restored.