An online poll held by the Academia Historica has sparked an outcry by listing Chinese Communist leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping as candidates for the top 100 influential figures in ROC's history. And head of the institute, Lin Man-houng, was later accused by legislators of falsely denying her involvement in the event. In response, Lin resigned on Wednesday night to take full responsibility for the controversy.

12 hours after tendering her resignation, Academia Historica President Lin Man-houng arrived at her office. She declined interview requests from the media, and quietly left the building around 10 a.m.

In her letter of resignation, which was approved by President Ma Ying-jeou, Lin said that she was taking political responsibility for controversy caused by the Academia Historica's "influential figures" voting campaign.

During an interpellation one day earlier, legislators blasted Lin for failing to carefully review the candidates on the "most influential figures of the century" list before it was published.

The session soon turned into a screaming match, with lawmakers branding Lin a liar and saying that she lacked the credentials for her post.

Legislators later passed a motion to have Lin investigated by the Control Yuan.

Presidential Deputy Secretary-General Liu Pao-kuei has been named acting Academia Historica president.