Lawmakers will vote on a bill to revamp a political system better known for fisticuffs than good parliamentary procedure
Legislators from Taiwan's rival political parties are expected to call a vote today on a controversial constitutional reform bill that would halve the number of seats in the island's 225-seat legislature.
If passed, the bill could effectively lead to a two-party system as independents and lesser political parties would have less chance of making it into the legislature.
President Chen Shui-bian's administration believes the cut is necessary to reduce bickering between the government and the legislature and avert non-stop political chaos.
Polls have shown that more than 70 per cent of voters support the bill, but critics doubt whether it will resolve real political problems and help parliament shed its reputation as a floor for fist fights.
Lin Yi-hsiung, a former chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, has repeatedly urged Mr Chen's government and the DPP to honour a commitment made by the president during his re-election campaign to halve the number of seats in the legislature.
However, the opposition People First Party (PFP) and independent legislators have questioned the logic behind the cut, saying it was likely that small parties and independents would be squeezed out.
