A local election candidate in New Taipei is out on bail after handing out household goods to an apartment building's management committee, a sign Taiwan is policing small-scale vote buying ahead of November's local elections.

• A ward chief candidate in Xinzhuang, surnamed Yeh, allegedly gave a gift basket of soy sauce, toothpaste, masks and cling film to a homeowners' association to win support.
• Prosecutors and police searched three homes and questioned 15 people, then asked the court to hold Yeh with no outside contact.
• The court instead released Yeh and two campaign organizers on bail, with the highest amount set for one organizer.
• Handing out cheap trinkets like tissues and water bottles is normal in Taiwanese campaigns, but there is no actual value limit written into election law — prosecutors just use a rough one.

Outlook: More vote-buying cases are likely as Taiwan heads into its Nov. 28 local elections for mayors, councilors and ward chiefs.