ELECTION 2024/Independent presidential hopeful submits 1 million petition signatures

Taipei, Nov. 2 (CNA) Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. founder and aspiring presidential candidate Terry Gou (郭台銘) submitted the final batch of over 1 million petition signatures on Thursday to qualify as a candidate in the upcoming presidential election, according to his office.

In a press release, Gou's office said that a total of 1,036,778 petition signatures -- more than three times the required number of 289,667 signatures -- have been submitted to the Taipei City Election Commission.

Each signature is considered by Gou to represent an affirmation and expectation, the office said.

Gou and his running mate Tammy Lai (賴佩霞) carry the expectations of their supporters and willingly take on the responsibility for the future of the Republic of China (Taiwan's formal name), it added.

However, the signatures must first be reviewed and ratified by the Central Election Commission for Gou to secure a spot on the presidential ballot.

The CEC is obligated to publish the results of the candidate's petition by Nov. 14, and candidate registration for the presidential election will take place from Nov. 20-24.

If Gou successfully secures a spot on the ballot, he will compete against Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), the standard-bearer of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), and Taiwan People's Party Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) in the presidential election scheduled for Jan. 13, 2024.