BAN: The CEC warned that text messages, hand signs or T-shirts recommending a candidate would be a violation of rules against campaigning on poll day
By Loa Iok-sin
The National Police Agency (NPA) said yesterday it would dispatch tens of thousands of police officers and volunteers to maintain security during the election today.

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DEMOCRACY IN ACTION: The president said his only mission after the election today is to hand over power in May and expressed his hope for a smooth transition
By Ko Shu-ling
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday urged the public to accept today's election result, saying he did not want to see a repeat of the election dispute that marred the presidential contest four years ago.

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The fierce battle for the presidency appears to be all-consuming for some individuals, particularly those suffering from mental disorders, a psychiatrist said earlier this week.

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By Mo Yan-chih,
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday urged supporters to remain calm in response to any final attacks or allegations that he has a green card from former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) officials and other US officials organized by the rival camp.

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SUPPORT: The `Tibet Day' would fall on March 10, commemorating the Tibetan Uprising of 1959, and would show support for Tibetan autonomy
A group of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City councilors yesterday urged the city government and council to designate March 10 "Tibet Day" to show support for Tibet's pursuit of autonomy.

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After nearly four years of twists and turns in its fate, a rare red-crowned crane named Dan Dan (丹丹) will finally leave Taiwan for South Korea next week in preparation for an eventual release into the wild.

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Demand for domestic transport around the country for this weekend has increased because of today's presidential election.

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RECOGNITION: Breeders hope the loyal, intelligent local species will gain recognition from the `UN for dogs' -- the Federation Cynologique Internationale
By Meggie Lu
A breed of man's best friend may soon carry the name "Taiwan" and become the nation's first indigenous canine species to be internationally recognized, earning admission qualifications to competitions around the globe, Kennel Club of Taiwan (KCT) secretary-general Shih San-te (施三德) said.

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BRING YOUR UMBRELLA: A mild morning is forecast for election day, but the afternoon is expected to be wet and stormy when a frontal system arrives
By Shelley Shan
The chance of showers and thundershowers is high for election day as a frontal system is scheduled to arrive this afternoon, the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) said yesterday.

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DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE: The Chinese ambassador to the UN's Geneva headquarters has sent a letter asking other delegations to help keep Taiwan off the WHA agenda
By Jenny W. Hsu
Although Taiwan's strategy for the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May has yet to be determined pending today's presidential election, China has taken preemptive action by requesting delegations to the WHO in Geneva to join its effort to block any attempt by Taiwan to seek membership.

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By Angelica Oung
Taiwan deserves to be a part of the WHO, especially as the threat of another flu pandemic looms, former US secretary of health and human services Tommy Thompson said on Thursday in Taipei.

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National Chiao Tung University said yesterday it had signed an agreement with the heads of 17 universities in Central and South America to recruit students to study Mandarin or pursue advanced degrees in Taiwan.

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■ TRAVEL

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