16,507,179 Taiwanese citizens are eligible to vote out of a population of 23 million. Voters must be aged 20 or above Turnout in the 2000 election was 82.69 per cent
Election procedure
- Polling stations are open from 8am to 4pm, and the Central Election Commission expects to announce final results around 7.30pm
- The winner must take a majority of the votes cast but does not need to gain more than 50 per cent of the total vote. The winner is officially declared on March 26 and takes the oath of office on May 20
The referendum
- The Legislative Yuan passed a referendum law last November that allows the president to call a 'defensive referendum' when he deems Taiwan's sovereignty is under external threat. Today's referendum is Taiwan's first ever plebiscite.
