Taiwan's Kuomintang made a last-ditch effort to encourage supporters to vote in elections today for the mayors of five special municipalities, which are seen as a midterm test of President Ma Ying-jeou and his mainland engagement policy.
The last-minute appeals could be vital for the prospects of the ruling party, whose supporters are generally considered less enthusiastic than those of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party.
Supporters of the pro-independence DPP are generally considered more united and more willing to vote, even in bad weather, whereas KMT voters are known to be less enthusiastic and more likely to stay home in inclement weather.
'Save Hau Lung-bin, and save Eric Chu,' KMT campaign aides shouted through loudspeakers as their campaign trucks travelled along the streets of Taipei and Xinbei city yesterday.
Hau, the incumbent Taipei mayor, is fighting a tough battle for a second four-year term in the island's capital against former Taiwanese premier Su Tseng-chang of the DPP.
Just across the river in Xinbei city - which used to be called Taipei county - Eric Chu, former vice-premier and Taoyuan magistrate, was neck and neck with his DPP opponent, Dr Tsai Ing-wen, the party's chairwoman and another former vice-premier.