Taiwan election 2024: high turnout expected as voters and candidates cast ballots
- Voter turnout is expected to exceed the 74.9 per cent reported in 2020, thanks to good weather and fierce three-way race
- More than 19 million voters eligible to choose president and legislators, with results to start rolling in by evening
All three presidential candidates called on voters to go to the polls, saying the island’s future was in their hands.
“It is a sunny day and we should all go to vote to demonstrate our vibrant democracy and support Taiwan to continue to embrace the world,” said William Lai Ching-te, candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the front runner in the race, before casting ballots for himself and other DPP candidates in the southern city of Tainan, his power base.
Kuomintang candidate Hou Yu-ih arrived at a voting station in New Taipei City, where he is mayor, to cast his ballot.
“My mood is as sunny and bright as the weather today. Seeing our people so self-driven and coming out in the early morning to vote is a very important demonstration of our democracy,” he said.
