Taiwan goes to the polls for 'biggest-ever' local elections

Leaders of Taiwan's ruling and opposition parties criss-crossed the island yesterday in their final push to secure votes for their candidates today in what are billed as the island's biggest-ever local elections.

The parties held mass rallies last night to build momentum on the eve of polls that could redraw the political map in some areas - especially the central city of Taichung and the capital Taipei - seen as crucial to the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.

The ruling Kuomintang is facing tough challenges from the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party and observers said it would be almost impossible for the KMT to retain control of all 15 of the 22 cities and counties it now holds.

Analysts tipped the DPP to add to the six cities and counties it controls, possibly winning in Taichung, one of the island's six big municipalities.

President Ma Ying-jeou, who heads the KMT, had a hectic schedule boosting KMT candidates in southern and central Taiwan before returning to Taipei late last night to stump for Taipei mayoral hopeful Sean Lien Sheng-wen, who is the son of honorary KMT chairman Lien Chen.

"All of you should know well that it is very important to choose the right person, someone who can lead the city to further advancement, instead of choosing the wrong guy who will block the city's development," Ma said at a campaign rally in Taichung.