Political Parties in Taiwan Make Last-Minute Effort to Secure Votes in Pivotal Election

The three principal political factions in Taiwan are scheduled to convene large-scale demonstrations on Friday evening, marking the culmination of their respective campaigns in anticipation of pivotal presidential and parliamentary elections. This political landscape is unfolding amid escalating Chinese pressures on the island.
Taiwan has emerged as a democratic success since the inauguration of its inaugural direct presidential election in 1996, symbolizing the resolution of protracted struggles against authoritarian governance and martial law.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), presently in power, is vying for a third consecutive term under the candidacy of Vice President Lai Ching-te. The DPP ardently upholds Taiwan’s distinctive identity and categorically rejects China’s territorial assertions.
In the lead-up to the impending Saturday elections, China has consistently characterized Lai as a perilous separatist, dismissing his reiterated appeals for diplomatic discussions.
Lai has expressed unwavering dedication to maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait, while concurrently leveling accusations against China for attempting to influence the electoral process through the dissemination of disinformation and the application of heightened military and economic pressure on the island, which Beijing considers as integral Chinese territory.
In defiance of China, individuals such as Charlie Lee, a 61-year-old tech worker, assert a resolute stance, emphasizing Taiwan’s robust democratic identity and avowing to persist in their commitment despite external pressures.
Lai faces two formidable opponents in the presidential race – Hou Yu-ih, representing Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), and former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je of the recently established Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) founded in 2019.
Hou advocates for the resumption of engagement with China, emphasizing people-to-people exchanges, while accusing Lai of endorsing Taiwan’s formal independence, an allegation firmly rebuffed by Lai, who counters that Hou is aligned with Beijing.The KMT and TPP jointly assert the necessity for a change in government after eight years of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rule. However, a collaborative effort by the two parties to form a unified ticket against the DPP last year ended in discord.
Both the DPP and KMT are set to host their final rallies in Taipei’s neighboring New Taipei, while the TPP holds a prominent location in central Taipei near the presidential office. Anticipated to draw tens of thousands, each event signifies a crucial juncture in the electoral process.
CHINA LOOMS LARGE
In the southern metropolis of Tainan, a historical bastion for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) during Lai’s tenure as mayor, Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Charles Chen asserted that public dissatisfaction with the DPP had become palpable.
Chen contended, based on the extensive canvassing and campaign initiatives conducted in recent months, that there has been a noticeable surge in support for the KMT.
However, DPP legislator Wang Ting-yu, representing Tainan, expressed confidence in the party’s prospects but acknowledged the need for concerted efforts to secure a level of voter endorsement comparable to that garnered by outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen in the 2020 election.
Wang emphasized that, in addition to conventional electoral issues, the most pressing concern in the current election cycle is the perceived severity of China’s interference in Taiwan’s democratic processes.
Both the DPP and KMT confront a formidable challenge from the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), which endeavors to disrupt the established paradigm of two-party politics.
The prevailing political circumstances have prompted a burgeoning desire for reform among the populace, simultaneously thrusting the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), emblematic of the island’s third political force, into the limelight of Taiwanese politics, as articulated by TPP’s representative, Ko, during a briefing for international journalists in Taipei on Friday.
Ko has successfully garnered fervent support, particularly from the younger demographic, by prioritizing pragmatic concerns such as the exorbitant cost of housing. Additionally, he advocates for renewed engagement with China, albeit with a steadfast commitment to safeguarding Taiwan’s democratic principles and its distinct way of life.
Seventy-year-old Tainan farmer Liu Ruen-shui intends to cast his vote in favor of the Kuomintang (KMT)
This electoral cycle holds profound significance,” asserted Liu, emphasizing its pivotal nature. “Should a substantive shift fail to materialize, the trajectory of affairs is poised to deteriorate progressively, reaching a critical juncture beyond recovery.”
Regardless of the election outcome, the specter of China casts a pervasive shadow.
Taiwan’s government anticipates that, post-election, China is likely to exert pressure on the incoming president, potentially manifesting through military maneuvers in proximity to the island during the upcoming spring, as indicated by two high-ranking government officials.
Polling activities are scheduled to commence at 8:00 a.m. (0000 GMT) and conclude at 4:00 p.m. (0800 GMT), with immediate manual ballot counting. The electoral process excludes electronic, absentee, proxy, or early voting modalities.
The determination of results is expected by late evening on Saturday, marked by concession speeches from the unsuccessful candidates and an acceptance speech from the victor.
Constitutional constraints preclude President Tsai from seeking reelection after completing two consecutive terms in office.