A former lawmaker who moved to Taiwan from mainland China has entered the race for mayor of Zhubei, and it is unclear whether she is even legally allowed to run.

• Li Chen-hsiu, a former Taiwan People's Party legislator, announced a run for mayor of Zhubei City in Hsinchu County.
• The county election commission said it cannot rule on her eligibility until she formally registers and submits paperwork.
• The sticking point is a rule that spouses from mainland China must have held Taiwan household registration for ten years, counted from the day they hand in proof of giving up their Chinese registration.
• She only filed that proof last year, which would leave her years short of the bar.
• Rival candidates from the TPP, KMT, and DPP all said anyone is free to run, with the DPP adding that she should produce full proof of her citizenship and residency status.

Outlook: Her candidacy likely stalls at the registration desk unless officials read the ten-year clock differently than the current guidance suggests.