Taiwan's election chief backed prosecutors who warned local officials about Chinese meddling ahead of the year-end local elections, brushing off opposition claims of intimidation.

• With 100 days left before the nine-in-one local elections, prosecutors across Taiwan mailed village chiefs warnings about foreign interference, ghost voters, and election gambling.
• The opposition KMT called the letters "political intimidation" of grassroots officials.
• Central Election Commission head Yu Ying-lung defended them, saying reminding public servants not to take improper gifts or hospitality is a necessary step toward cleaner elections.
• Village chiefs are Taiwan's lowest-level public servants, which is why they were targeted for the reminder.
• The commission also released its formal election notice for the vote at a press conference.

Outlook: Expect more friction between the ruling party's anti-interference push and opposition complaints as the campaign heats up over the next three months.