Taiwan Election 2012: Taiwan Votes for President and Legislative Yuan Representatives Today

By Menard Osena on Jan 14, 2012 in Asia, Current Events, Events, International, Politics, World • No comments

Update: January 15, 2012 1:55 AM (GMT+8)
President Ma Ying-jeou won a second term in office. Read the update in Taiwan Election 2012 Results.

Taiwan Election 2012 are being held today, January 14, 2012. Taiwan has an estimated 18 million eligible voters and they are expected to cast their votes and elect their president and 113 legislators.

Taiwan Election 2012 is the first joint elections since direct presidential elections were initiated on 1996. Traditionally, Taiwan’s presidential election has been held every four years separately from the legislative elections. Today’s poll marks a historic first that the two elections will happen at the same time.

Taiwan Presidential Candidates 2012
Image Credit: wikipedia.com

Taiwan voters will be able to cast three ballots, one for the president, a second one for the local legislative candidate and another ballot for the political party. Voters are required to bring the national identity card, a personal seal and voting documents.

The presidential election is being contested by three candidates: Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang Party (KMT), Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and James Soong Chu-yu of the People First Party (PFP).

Taiwan’s Central Election Commission said that they are expecting 80 percent voters’ turnout in today’s poll.

The election commission also mentioned that voting hours will start from 8AM and will last until 4PM. The election commission also estimated that counting can be completed by 10PM.