About 100 residents of Taiwan’s outlying Kinmen Islands were unable to return home to vote on election day after a previously planned military flight planned for them was canceled. The news was reported by several outlets, including The China Times. 

Taiwan does not have mail-in voting, so voters must return to the place where their household is registered and vote in person on election day. This is especially difficult for those who are registered in Taiwan’s outlying islands which include Kinmen, Matsu, Penghu, Orchid Island, and others. 

The hundred or so residents arrived at Songshan Airport in the morning on election day, but were unable to board the flight. After some time, they inquired about the flight and were told at noon that it had been canceled, meaning they would be unable to vote. The flight was planned by the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) and the Defense Ministry.

The Defense Ministry released a statement saying that the shift of manpower to focus on combat readiness began at 12:00 noon, which is why it could not support the extra flights planned by the CAA. 

For more information about the 2024 elections: https://election2024.rti.org.tw/en