The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) on Wednesday agreed to use public polling to decide on a coalition presidential ticket, with the result to be announced on Saturday.
New Taipei City Mayor and KMT candidate Hou You-yi (侯友宜), KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) and TPP Chairman and candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) met on Wednesday in a closed-door meeting largely expected to be their last, as they attempt to break a stalemate over who is to represent the opposition on January’s presidential ballot.
The parties met at the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation in Taipei, with former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) serving as a witness.
Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times
In a joint statement following the two-and-a-half-hour meeting, the participants said they had agreed to use polling results as the basis of their decision.
Polling experts are to analyze the results of public opinion polls conducted by various organizations between Tuesday last week and Friday, in addition to internal polls conducted by the two parties, they said.
For each poll, if the winner exceeds the statistical margin of error, they are to receive a “point,” they said.
If neither exceeds the margin of error, it would count as a point toward a Hou-Ko joint ticket, they added, remaining vague on the details.
The KMT, TPP and Ma are to each nominate a polling expert of their choice, the statement said, adding that the result would be announced by the foundation on Saturday morning.
After the ballot is decided, the KMT and TPP are to form a joint campaign to assist all candidates of the two parties running in January, it said.
Candidates for the presidential election on Jan. 13 must formally register between Monday and Friday next week.
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