With the by-election for Hualien County commissioner less than 24 hours away, hopefuls resorted to emotional appeals in a bid to win voters' hearts -- and their votes.
While parading through the streets of Hualien in his campaign procession, KMT splinter candidate Wu Kuo-tung (
The scene was a deja-vu for KMT-PFP alliance nominee Hsieh Shen-shan (
In Hualien yesterday, Shih Chia-lin (
Earlier in the day, the pan-blue camp yesterday rolled out a parade of prominent politicians in a bid to illustrate its solidarity in supporting Hsieh.
Aside from KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
Waving hand-held campaign flags, rally attendants were entertained with dances, singing and fireworks amid speeches delivered by number of pan-blue figures.
Speaking at the rally, which took place in the square in front of the Hualien Chian Train Station, Lien called on voters to support Hsieh, whom he praised as a candidate with vision, courage and comprehensive experience.
Prior to the rally, politicians took part in a motorcade procession through the streets of Hualien to drum up voters' support.
Meanwhile, President Chen Shui-bian (
Sparing no effort to solicit support, DPP candidate You Ying-lung (
In related news, You yesterday filed a libel lawsuit against Hsieh for running an advertisement in newspapers which accused You of censuring the democratic performance of Hualien people.
The advertisement, posted in major Chinese-language newspapers yesterday by Hsieh's campaign office, said that You's previous criticism of Hualien people's poor show of democratic spirit had led to the recent crackdown on bribery and vote-buying in that county.
Hsieh's accusations were based on comments You's made on July 19 during a public debate in which You remarked that since Hualien is the only county in Taiwan that has never experienced a change of political power, democratic development in that county is behind that of other cities and counties.
Explaining the move, DPP Secretary General Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) said that You's comments were purely based on a political analysis and were not intended as an attack on the people of Hualien.
"We deeply regret that both Hsieh and Wu misinterpreted You's remarks," Chang said.
You's campaign office yesterday also dismissed a media report indicating that You's local campaigners were engaged in election bribery and vote-buying.
A Chinese-language newspaper yesterday quoted a classified document from the Hualien District Prosecutors's Office saying that certain local vote captains for both Hsieh and You were on the police authority's investigation list of vote-buying suspects.
The report said that one of You's vote captain's was accused of conducting vote-buying activities by putting on a banquet for members of a fishermen's association.
You's campaign office yesterday refuted the allegations, saying that the speaking engagement rather had been organized voluntarily by members of the association to show support for You.
Hsieh spokesperson Ho Hung-jung (何鴻榮) also sternly protested the allegations of vote-buying.
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