The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday unveiled its first-round nomination list for the legislative elections, announcing its potential candidates in 40 electoral districts, with little competition for the candidates.
Of the 40 candidates, Cabinet spokesman Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) will represent the party to run the election in Greater Taichung. Former Taiwan Solidarity Union legislator Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) and former independent legislator Chen Chao-ming (陳超明), both from the pan-green camp, will represent the KMT in Pingtung County and Miaoli County respectively.
The list was approved by the KMT’s Central Standing Committee in its weekly meeting yesterday. The party will complete the second phase of the nomination process on May 11 and the final phase on May 25.
KMT Culture and Communication Commission director Su Jun-pin (蘇俊賓) said the party would negotiate with prospective candidates and conduct public opinion polls to determine final candidates. Su, who had registered with the party to run in Taoyuan County, did not appear on yesterday’s nomination list. He declined to confirm the KMT’s alleged plan to appoint him to run in Greater Tainan, one of the “difficult” electoral districts for the party.
“I would respect the KMT’s overall consideration, and as a party member, I would do my best if the party were in need in difficult electoral districts,” he said.
He also dismissed the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) challenge of the KMT’s choice of Chiang, who the DPP said lacked political experience and popularity in Taichung.
“Pride goes before a fall, and the DPP should focus its attention on its own candidates. The KMT has full confidence in Chiang’s performance in the election,” he said.
In response to the combination of the legislative and presidential elections, Su said the KMT’s consistent stance is to respect the Central Election Commission’s (CEC) decisions.
“The combined elections have pros and cons, and the KMT -respected the CEC’s decision,” he added.
The KMT is expected to formally announce President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) as the party’s presidential candidate on May 4, in accordance with the party’s nomination process. Ma, the only KMT member who registered to seek the party’s presidential nomination, is likely to complete the registration process this weekend.
With the date for the presidential election to be moved forward, Ma will speed up his preparation for the election and set up his campaign office next month. Former KMT secretary-general King Pu-tsung (金溥聰), who is participating in the party’s nomination process, will serve as his campaign manager.
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