Taiwan elections top developments: Will stand on the side of democracy, says prez-elect Lai

"The Taiwanese people have successfully resisted efforts from external forces to influence this election," Lai also said in his victory speech on Saturday. 

"We know that Taiwan's semiconductor industry is an advantage.. but it is also an asset. China and other countries should also cherish this industry," Lai said. 

In his first remarks after winning the election, Lai Ching-te said that his DPP will stand side-by-side with democracy around the world.

"We received the most support.. this means that the country will continue to walk on the right path," Lai said, adding 

DPP's Lai Ching-te won the election on Saturday after Hou Yu-ih of the KMT and Ko Wen-je of the TPP conceded defeat. 

Lai Ching-te will take office as president on May 20. 

DPP leader and Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te has taken a clear lead in the election, claiming  41.6 percent of ballots cast, according to the island's polling authority.

Lai was well ahead of his nearest rival Hou Yu-ih of KMT who was on 33.2 percent.

Lai Ching-te has maintained a comfortable lead after 2.5 hours of counting. According to TaiwanPlus News, he is leading with more than 2.9 million votes.

KMT leader Hou Yu-ih is the second position with nearly 2.34 million votes and TPP leader Ko Wen-je is in the third place with 1.7 million votes. 

Chinese social media platform Weibo has blocked the hashtag "Taiwan Election" on its website after it was trending. "In accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies, the content of this topic is not displayed," a notice on the website showed on Saturday (Jan 13) morning when the hashtag was searched at around 9.45 am local time, the news agency AFP reported. Read more

With the counting of votes underway, Lai Ching-te is still leading with 551,521 votes followed by Kuomintang's Hou Yu-ih securing nearly 464,000 votes and Taiwan People's Party candidate Ko Wen-je with 379,363. 

DPP leader Lai Ching-te is leading after one hour of counting of votes. Lai Ching-te has secured 326,739 votes followed by Kuomintang's candidate with 282,592 votes, according to TaiwanPlus News.

Results are expected Saturday (Jan 13) evening, with the outcome watched closely by both Beijing and Washington, Taiwan's main military partner, as the two superpowers tussle for influence in the strategically vital region.

After eight hours of voting polls closed at 4:00 pm (local time), with results expected later in the evening. 

The vote counting is said to have begun immediately. 

Former Taipei mayor and presidential candidate from Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Ko Wen-je told reporters after voting at a Taipei high school he was "calm" and had slept well the night before.

The TPP presidential candidate who is said to be popular among young voters for his focus on domestic issues including  high cost of housing.

About China, Ko has previously said he wants to re-engage but says that it cannot come at the expense of protecting Taiwan's democracy and way of life.

Taiwan's defence ministry said that it detected eight military aircraft, one of which crossed into Taiwan’s southwestern air defence identification zone around the time when the polls opened at 6:00 am (local time) this morning. 

It added, six ships from the Chinese navy were also seen around the island.

"Armed forces have monitored the situation and tasked aircraft, navy vessels and land-based missile systems to respond to these activities," said the Taiwanese ministry. 

People in the self-governed island headed to polling stations in kindergartens, temples and libraries across the island saying that Beijing's threats to their democracy are just part of everyday life.

"It's a bit too far away from us," said Joyce, a voter in her 20s who arrived at an elementary school in New Taipei City to cast her ballot with her twin siblings told AFP.

While China has ramped up pressure on Taiwan amid elections, people like Joyce and her brothers are more interested in better salaries and lower property prices, according to the news agency. 

"Also better public transportation and cracking down on spam activities," her brother Jacky told AFP. His twin Rocky said he thought China "doesn't have extra capacity to invade us". 

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which supports Taiwan's separate identity and rejects China's territorial claims, is seeking a third term in office with its candidate, current Vice President Lai Ching-te.

Speaking to reporters in the southern city of Tainan before voting, Lai encouraged people to cast their ballots.

"Every vote is valued, as this is Taiwan's hard earned democracy," he said in brief remarks, as quoted by Reuters. 

Taiwan's defence ministry, on Saturday said that it detected two Chinese balloons crossing the Taiwan Strait in the previous 24 hours, one of which flew over Taiwan island. 

The latest detection marks yet another incident in a spate of balloon sightings the ministry has reported.

Why are these sightings important? WION Explains!

Read here: 

As Taiwanese voters cast their ballots, Taiwan's railways has witnessed a highest number of ticket sales in the country. 

Presidential candidate for the Beijing-friendly main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party Hou Yu-ih casts his vote in Taiwan's elections. 
 

Taiwan elections 2024: Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te casts his ballot in Taiwan's presidential elections. 
 

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen cast her votes on Saturday (January 13) as the polling starts. Notably, Tsai is constitutionally barred from standing again after two terms in office.
 

China's Weibo social media platform blocked a hashtag on Taiwan's election Saturday  (Jan 13) after it became one of the site's top-trending topics following polls opening on the self-ruled island, as per media reports. "In accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies, the content of this topic is not displayed," a notice on the website showed when the hashtag "Taiwan election" was searched for around 9:45 am local time (0145 GMT).
 

As Taiwanese people cast their votes in the ongoing elections, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller in a statement on Blinken's meeting with head of the international division of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee, Liu Jianchao, said, "The Secretary reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea." 

Taiwan elections 2024: Taiwan People's Party's (TPP) leader Ko Wen-je casts his ballot as people begin to vote in Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections.
 

Taiwan's 2024 presidential and legislative elections commenced as voters started casting their ballots on Saturday (Jan 13). This election is closely monitored amid heightened tensions with China. Beijing has escalated its rhetoric regarding the self-ruled island. The polls opened at 8:00 am (0000 GMT) across nearly 18,000 locations, spanning from the southern regions to the capital, Taipei.
 

Taiwan elections 2024: In the presidential election, securing a simple majority is sufficient for victory, and there is no provision for a run-off election.

Meanwhile, in the parliament elections, voters are equipped with two ballots with one to choose their local district candidate, and the other for a political party.