The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday approved the nomination procedures for the legislative by-election in Greater Tainan and Greater Kaohsiung, and gave the party’s nomination review committee the right to determine the candidates.
The by-election will be held on March 5 to fill the seats left by Greater Tainan Mayor William Lai (賴清德) and Greater Kaohsiung Deputy Mayor Chen Chi-yu (陳啟昱) after they resigned as legislators and assumed their new posts on Dec. 25.
NEGOTIATIONS
KMT Spokesman Su Jun-pin (蘇俊賓) said the KMT would hold polls and allow room for negotiation to determine candidates.
The KMT’s Central Standing Committee also granted the nomination committee the right to finalize candidates.
“The two cities are considered tough electoral areas for the KMT, and we are likely to find candidates with a great reputation and a clean image via negotiations. At least we should fight a good battle,” Su said.
The KMT will accept applications from hopefuls tomorrow and on Saturday, and conduct polls from Wednesday to Friday next week.
AT-LARGE LEGISLATORS
As for news that the party was considering not revising the regulations and would allow at-large legislators to serve for three terms, Su said there had been differing opinions on the matter.
Su added that the party would announce the result after a consensus was reached.
The KMT’s current regulations state that at-large legislators can only seek re-election once. Both Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) and Deputy Legislative Speaker Tseng Yung-chuan (曾永權), who are serving their second term, would have to leave their positions if the party did not relax the regulations.
DPP CHALLENGE
Several DPP politicians have expressed their willingness to compete for the two seats, which are located in solidly pan-green districts.
Former DPP legislator Lin Tai-hua (林岱樺) is likely to receive her party’s nomination for the seat left vacant by Chen.
Party sources say that Greater Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) stepped in yesterday to give Lin her support, while potential rival Lee Kun-tse (李昆澤), a former DPP lawmaker and senior party official, also hinted that he would back her bid.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY VINCENT Y. CHAO
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