The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) will move its national convention forward to June and use the occasion to campaign for President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) re-election bid.
The party congress of the KMT usually takes place in Taipei City in August. The KMT is also exploring the possibility of holding the event in Greater Taichung to consolidate its support base outside of Taipei.
The KMT’s Culture and Communication Committee director Su Jun-pin (蘇俊賓) yesterday said the party would mobilize members to campaign for Ma, who also doubles as KMT chairman, and the location of the party congress remained undecided.
The KMT’s Central Standing Committee is slated to approve Ma’s nomination as the party’s presidential candidate on May 4. After approving the nomination process, Ma will establish his presidential campaign office late next month or in early June, with former KMT secretary-general King Pu-tsung (金溥聰) managing the campaign.
The KMT will formally announce the presidential and vice presidential candidates at the party’s national convention and the event will serve as a venue for party members to pledge support to the party candidates.
Ma on Saturday declared his intention to seek re-election in a campaign activity organized by a group of KMT legislators. He will make more frequent visits to central and southern Taiwan starting from Sunday to strengthen communication with local factions.
Su yesterday dismissed concerns that the KMT kicked off the presidential campaign earlier because of the possibility that the next legislative elections may be held on the same day as the presidential election.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) will determine on Friday whether to hold the two elections together.
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