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Taiwan awaits parliament results Taiwan nationalists 'in big win '
(about 3 hours later)
Counting is under way in Taiwan after a vote to elect members of parliament in a contest seen as a barometer for the presidential election on 22 March. The nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) party in Taiwan appears set to win an overwhelming victory in parliamentary elections, early reports suggest.
More than 17m people were eligible to cast ballots, with results expected later on Saturday. Taiwanese media say it may even get a two-thirds majority in the contest seen as a barometer for the presidential election on 22 March.
The nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) has at present a slim parliamentary majority over President Chen Shui-bian's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). KMT has at present a slim majority over President Chen Shui-bian's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Under a new electoral system, voters will elect half as many MPs as before. It wants closer ties with China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province.
Under a new electoral system, voters elected half as many MPs as before.
The change was adopted in 2005 to reduce corruption and improve efficiency but observers say the new system may marginalise smaller parties in favour of the DPP and the KMT.The change was adopted in 2005 to reduce corruption and improve efficiency but observers say the new system may marginalise smaller parties in favour of the DPP and the KMT.
Two referendums were held alongside the legislative election.Two referendums were held alongside the legislative election.
KMT presidential hopeful Ma Ying-jeou has called for change
The first asked voters to support legislation to force the KMT to return state assets the DPP says were illegally amassed during the 1950s, while the other, tabled by the KMT, called for action against corrupt officials.The first asked voters to support legislation to force the KMT to return state assets the DPP says were illegally amassed during the 1950s, while the other, tabled by the KMT, called for action against corrupt officials.
'Sacred ballots'
On Friday, party leaders and their candidates made their final appeals to voters.
Outgoing President Chen travelled to several parts of the island to urge voters not only to support his party, but also to turn out in large numbers.
The people should treasure the sacred ballots in their hands and vote President Chen Shui-bian Battle lines drawn in vote
"[The] election is critical because Taiwan can't lose, and democracy and justice must win," he said while visiting the southern city of Kaohsiung.
"The people should treasure the sacred ballots in their hands and vote."
The KMT's candidate in March's presidential election, former Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou, called on the country to vote for change.
"Taiwan's economy and social order are getting worse. It is time for new blood and a different party to take over," he said.
The KMT is hoping, along with its smaller allies, to win a greater two-thirds parliamentary majority.
New voting system
The two main parties are fighting for control of the newly scaled-down parliament, in which the number of seats has been cut from 225 to 113 in line with reforms.The two main parties are fighting for control of the newly scaled-down parliament, in which the number of seats has been cut from 225 to 113 in line with reforms.
KMT presidential hopeful Ma Ying-jeou has called for changeA new voting system has also been introduced whereby voters cast ballots for both a party and a particular candidate in their constituency. A new voting system has also been introduced whereby voters cast ballots for both a party and a particular candidate in their constituency.
Seventy-three seats are being contested by a total of 296 individual candidates representing 12 parties, while 34 seats will be allocated on a party list system. A further six seats are reserved for ethnic minorities. Seventy-three seats were contested by a total of 296 individual candidates representing 12 parties, while 34 seats are to be allocated on a party list system. A further six seats are reserved for ethnic minorities.
Ahead of the vote, the Central Election Commission chief said he expected the turnout to be higher than the 59.2% achieved in the last legislative election in 2004.
Many analysts, however, predicted that it could dip to less than 50%, in which case neither of the referendums could be approved.
Beijing quietBeijing quiet
BBC China analyst Shirong Chen says the two main parties' candidates have concentrated on local issues and shied away from discussing China in the run-up to the vote, a tactic the Chinese government has also adopted. BBC China analyst Shirong Chen says the two main parties' candidates for the presidential poll have concentrated on local issues and shied away from discussing China in the run-up to the vote, a tactic the Chinese government has also adopted.
Beijing has learned from its past misadventures during Taiwanese polls that verbal warnings and missile tests would backfire in favour of candidates from the pro-independence DPP, our correspondent says.Beijing has learned from its past misadventures during Taiwanese polls that verbal warnings and missile tests would backfire in favour of candidates from the pro-independence DPP, our correspondent says.
China has been focusing on getting countries like the US and France to oppose Taiwan's referendum on joining the UN, which will be held alongside the presidential election in March.China has been focusing on getting countries like the US and France to oppose Taiwan's referendum on joining the UN, which will be held alongside the presidential election in March.
China has also been persuading Taiwan's diplomatic allies to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing, prompting the Taiwanese foreign minister to make a futile trip to Malawi to consolidate bilateral ties.China has also been persuading Taiwan's diplomatic allies to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing, prompting the Taiwanese foreign minister to make a futile trip to Malawi to consolidate bilateral ties.
Our correspondent says Beijing will be anxious to see who wins Saturday's election, seen by many as a barometer of the public mood ahead of March's vote, when a new president will be chosen to rule the island for the next four years.Our correspondent says Beijing will be anxious to see who wins Saturday's election, seen by many as a barometer of the public mood ahead of March's vote, when a new president will be chosen to rule the island for the next four years.