The 2015 Taiwanese legislative by-elections were held on 7 February 2015 in Taiwan to elect 5 of the 113 members of the Legislative Yuan for the remaining term until 2016. No change in the party composition of the Legislative Yuan resulted from the by-elections; three Democratic Progressive Party candidates won the seats vacated by DPP legislators, and two Kuomintang candidates won the seats vacated by KMT legislators.[1]
Hsu Yao-chang, Wei Ming-ku, Lin Ming-chen, and Pan Men-an won their elections for county magistrate, and Lin Chia-lung won his election for mayor in the 2014 local election. Under the Article 73 of the Civil Servants Election and Recall Act [zh], if any positions become vacant due to resignation or election to another office, and the vacated term is longer than one year, a by-election shall be completed within three months commencing from the date of resignation.[2]
On 5 December 2014, the Central Election Commission announced that by-elections for Taichung 6 and Changhua 4 were to be held on 7 February 2015.[3] Candidate registrations for the two seats were open from 22 to 26 December 2014.[4] On 26 December 2014, the CEC announced that the by-elections for Miaoli 2, Nantou 2, and Pingtung 3 were to be held on 7 February 2015 as well.[5] Candidate registrations for these three seats were open from 26 December 2014 to 9 January 2015.[6]
By-election for Miaoli 2 constituency took place on 7 February 2015.[7] Kuomintang called in head of Gongguan TownshipHsu Chih-jung [zh] to contest the seat.[8] Democratic Progressive Party called in legislator Wu Yi-chen to contest the seat. The DPP originally supported Sunflower Student Movement activist Chen Wei-ting [zh]'s bid, but Chen dropped out after allegations of sexual harassment against him surfaced online.[9]
By-election for Taichung 6 constituency took place on 7 February 2015.[10] KMT called in Deputy Secretary-General of the Executive YuanHsiao Chia-chi to contest the seat.[11] DPP called in Taichung City councillor Huang Kuo-shu to contest the seat.[12]
By-election for Changhua 4 constituency took place on 7 February 2015.[13] KMT called in former Changhua County magistrateCho Po-yuan to contest the seat.[14] DPP called in Changhua County councillor Chen Su-yueh to contest the seat.[12] Former Changhua County councillor Hung Li-na announced her bid as an independent after leaving the KMT.[15]
By-election for Nantou 2 constituency took place on 7 February 2015.[16] KMT called in Nantou City mayor Hsu Shu-hua to contest the seat.[17] DPP called in former legislator Tang Huo-shen to contest the seat.[18] Former legislator Chen Cheng-sheng of the People First Party had previously announced his intention to run, but Chen dropped out and supported Tang as the opposition candidate.[19] Assistant professor Shih Chin-fang announced his bid as an independent after leaving the KMT.[20]
By-election for Pingtung 3 constituency took place on 7 February 2015.[21] KMT's nomination shortlist included legislator Su Ching-chuan, former legislator Liao Wan-ju [zh], and Director-General of the Pingtung County Farmer Association Huang Jui-chi. The KMT ultimately called in Liao to contest the seat.[22] DPP called in former Taipei City councillor Liao Wan-ju to contest the seat. Former Executive Yuan advisor Huang Chao-chan [zh] had also expressed interest in running, but the DPP nominated Liao after comparing results from hypothetical head-to-head polling.[23]