People in Taiwan have just voted in Taiwan’s closely watched presidential and parliamentary elections, and the initial results indicate a strong lead for the candidate of the ruling party. The presidential race is unexpectedly competitive, involving the current Vice President William Lai Ching-te from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the former mayor of New Taipei City Hou Yu-ih from the more conservative Kuomintang (KMT), and third-party candidate Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan People’s Party.
With over half of the votes counted, Lai is comfortably ahead of his two rivals, according to Taiwanese media. The outcome of these elections will shape Taiwan’s future, determining whether the country continues to seek a higher international profile as a de facto independent state (DPP), forms closer ties with China with potential economic benefits (KMT), or explores a new third way between both parties (TPP).
Additionally, the composition of Taiwan’s 113-person unicameral legislature is at stake, determined by geographic constituency and party votes. In the last election, the DPP secured a legislative majority, but this victory is uncertain due to strong competition from the KMT and TPP in many local races. Six seats are specifically reserved for Indigenous Taiwanese.
Around 19.5 million eligible voters, aged 20 and over, participated in the elections, and high voter turnout is expected based on public transit data. Taiwanese citizens must return to their household registration location, usually their hometown, to vote in person, making the lead-up to elections a bustling time for the island-wide rail service.
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