TAIPEI (XFN-ASIA) - Opposition candidate Ma Ying-jeou stormed into a huge
lead over his ruling party rival in Taiwan's presidential election after 75 pct
of all votes were counted, television showed.
Ma, who has vowed to heal relations with big neighbour China and to repair
the stuttering economy, was a huge 17 points ahead of Frank Hsieh, who leads the
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
There was no immediate word from either of the candidates but officials at
party headquarters were quick to speak out.
"We are very hopeful of the result, and we hope that the election will end
in peace, reason and victory," Kuomintang (KMT) manager Chan Chun-po told Agence
France-Presse.
"Only a change in government can stop the current political unrest."
On the small island of Matsu, where the vote count had already concluded,
several hundred jubilant Ma supporters held parties on the street and let off
firecrackers in celebration.
In contrast, former DPP lawmaker Cheng Wen-tsan acknowledged the scale of
the looming defeat.
"Many traditional strongholds of the DPP showed expanding support for the
KMT," he said.
"It means people there don't trust the DPP any more, they have rejected our
administration after eight years and handed us a no-confidence vote.
"I hope our party can realise the situation and accept the fact."
Turnout was estimated at more than 80 pct of the 17.3 mln eligible voters.
People were also asked to vote on two simultaneous referendums on joining
the United Nations.
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