Since Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (???) sounded the bugle call, the blue camp's city and county chiefs have joined forces to boycott the referendum plan on a technicality no matter what.
First, let's talk about the inappropriateness of their action from a legal perspective. National elections are tasks entrusted by central to local governments. Basically, the latter should carry out such tasks in accordance with the law, and should not boycott them on technicalities.
Second, the space for public servants to hesitate over the "per se illegality" of a law mainly occurs when the implementation of the law could result in irreparable damages to the people's rights. Even if the referendum is controversial, it will promote, rather than damage, the exercise of the people's basic rights. Why should blue-camp officials hesitate to implement it, if not for their political interests?
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2004/02/05/2003097552