Voting begins for Taiwan's opposition KMT chairperson

Taipei, Oct. 18 (CNA) Taiwan's main opposition party Kuomintang (KMT) is holding an election on Saturday to choose a new chairperson.

Voting started at 8 a.m. and will last until 4 p.m. at 383 polling stations across Taiwan, with results expected as early as 7 p.m.

Six candidates are vying for the chairperson post. They are former Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌), Legislator Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強), former lawmaker Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文), former Changhua County Magistrate Cho Po-yuan (卓伯源), former National Assembly member Tsai Chih-hung (蔡志宏), and NGO Sun Yat-sen School President Chang Ya-chung (張亞中).

According to the KMT, 331,410 members are eligible to vote in the election.

Voter turnout is expected to be 50 percent based on previous chairperson elections, the KMT said.

Outgoing KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) said "today marks a moment for the KMT to demonstrate its commitment to democracy," calling on members to work together to strengthen and improve the party.

The new KMT chairperson will take office on Nov. 1 during the party's 22nd National Congress.