TAIPEI (XFN-ASIA) - Opposition candidate Ma Ying-jeou proclaimed victory in
Taiwan's presidential election, calling it a win for hope and the expression of
a desire for change.
"This is a victory for people who hope for change and openness and reform,
to march forward," he told supporters of his opposition Kuomintang (KMT), after
scoring a decisive win over ruling party chief Frank Hsieh.
"This election result is not a personal result, nor a victory for the KMT,
it is a victory for all Taiwanese people," he said.
With all but a few thousand votes to count, Ma had an unassailable 17-point
lead over Hsieh, ending the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's eight-year
grip on the presidency.
Hsieh conceded defeat in an address to his own party supporters elsewhere in
Taipei.
"The Taiwanese people have cast their vote and made their decision," Hsieh
said.
"We accept defeat. It's my own defeat, it's not the defeat of the Taiwanese
people. Please don't cry for me."
Ma will formally take over on May 20 when outgoing President Chen Shui-bian
steps down after serving the maximum two terms.
Meanwhile, two referendums on Taiwan joining the United Nations failed to
muster enough support, according to figures provided by the central election
commission.
Only about 35 pct of eligible voters bothered to cast their ballot in the
referendums, far below the 50 pct needed to validate the result, the figures
showed.
The referendums were held alongside the presidential election.
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