Taiwan Election Polls Amid China Threat: Amid the ongoing dispute with China, presidential elections have started in Taiwan today i.e. on Saturday (January 13). During this period, about 1 crore 90 lakh people are going to take part in voting in the country with population of 2 crore 39 lakh. This time around 10 lakh new voters are taking part in voting for the first time. A total of 18,000 polling stations have been set up for elections in Taiwan.
China has tried to create disruption regarding the elections in Taiwan. Despite China’s threats, millions of people in Taiwan are taking part in voting for the presidential elections on Saturday. Earlier, in the days before the voting, China had described the current front-runner, Vice President Lai Ching-te, as a dangerous separatist leader. During this, China warned voters that if they want to avoid military conflict then they should choose the right option. What he meant was that he should avoid voting for the current Vice President Lai Ching-te.
China claims Taiwan
China stakes its claim on self-ruled Taiwan. For this, China has even threatened Taiwan with war. He said that he is not going to shy away from using military force to unite Taiwan with China. Voting began at 8:00 am at approximately 18,000 polling stations in Taiwan, with approximately 20 million people participating.
In the last elections held in the country in 2020, about 75 percent people voted. However, analysts predict that this time the numbers may decline. The results of today’s elections are also expected to come by evening. The eyes of America and China are fixed on this election, because both the countries are standing face to face over Taiwan and both the superpowers are struggling for influence in the strategically important region.
Hou Yu-ih’s warm relations with China
During a vigorous campaign, Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presented himself as a defender of Taiwan’s democratic way of life. However, KMT party opposition leader and rival Hou Yu-ih has cordial relations with China. He accuses DPP of angering China.
Recently Hou said that he will try to maintain strong relations with international partners other than America and economic prosperity will be promoted. Taiwan’s voters will elect 113 legislative seats for the presidential election.
Presidential elections were held for the first time in Taiwan in 1996.
This time Taiwan will elect another leader in place of Tsai-Ing-wen, the first woman President in the country. Before this, Tsai Ing-wen was the President of the country from 2016 to 2020. This time, Lai Ching-te, Hu Yu Ih and Wen Ze have fielded candidates from DDP, KMT and TPP in the country. Presidential elections were held for the first time in Taiwan in 1996.
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