Pan-blues retain majority

The CEC's statistics show the DPP's share of the vote at 37.98 percent.

Chen also expressed thanks to TSU Chairman Huang Chu-wen (黃主文) and former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), the TSU's spiritual leader, for their assistance in the election.

"Though there was competition between the DPP and the TSU during the election, there was also cooperation. We will work more closely with the TSU after the election," Chen said.

Cabinet Spokesman Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) yesterday said Premier Yu Shyi-kun, as the DPP's campaign manager, will take responsibility for the party's failure to win a legislative majority. But Chen Chi-mai did not elaborate as to whether Yu would offer to resign as premier.

PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), facing the party's significant loss of seats, yesterday expressed gratitude for the people's support in helping the party grab 34 seats and asserted the ROC's existence.

"Though the PFP's showing is not satisfactory, at least its position as the third largest party is unchanged," Soong said.

Huang Chu-wen, whose son David Huang (黃適卓) was elected under the TSU banner, yesterday said the TSU respected the voters' choice but hoped the pan-blue camp would forget its campaign threat to form a Cabinet if the alliance won a legislative majority.

"Facing our loss of one seat, the TSU will conduct a thorough review of the party. But we believe our insistence on creating a new constitution and the rectification movement is right," Huang said.

Early yesterday morning, Chen cast his vote with first lady Wu Shu-chen (吳淑珍) in Taipei, accompanied by Minister of the Interior Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) and Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).

Chen first cheered the sunny day and said "the dream will be soon realized since the sunshine has cleared the sky."

"Today is a historic day and I believe the people of Taiwan will rewrite history by casting their votes. I also believe that Taiwan's people will give Taiwan, love, unity and peace a chance," Chen said.

Chen also showed respect and confidence in election officials' efforts to maintain a transparent and fair poll.

"I believe all election officials will carry out their duty fairly today, and I hope the losers of today's election will not accuse the staff of cheating," Chen said.

Former president Lee Teng-hui cast his vote in Tahsi, Taoyuan County, appearing at the poll without his wife Tseng Wen-hui (曾文惠).

When asked if Tseng would show up and vote later, Lee said Tseng probably would not, because she was not feeling well.

Lee did not make any comment on the elections yesterday morning.

Lien urged voters to head to the polls while casting his vote in Taipei yesterday morning.

"People must go to the polls and vote for the future as well as for the nation and their offspring," Lien said.

Soong yesterday morning voted in Linkou, where his household is registered. He urged voters to think rationally over whether to vote for love or hatred.

"Voters should chose their candidates rationally and resolve hatred through love and tolerance," Soong said.