Early Results Signal Lai Qingde Leading Taiwan’s Presidential Race as Balloting Begins
In the opening phase of Taiwan’s presidential election, Lai Qingde, the candidate from the Democratic Progressive Party, held a lead as counting continued beyond the first half hour of votes. Sources cited by RIA News, referencing the Şanlı TV channel, reported this initial outcome.
The report indicates that a candidate supportive of Taiwan independence was ahead in the vote tally at this early stage, having secured 34.2 percent of ballots counted. The update is attributed to RNS in the publication’s coverage.
Following Lai, the closest contender was Ke Wenzhe, representing the Taiwan People’s Party. The candidate signaled intentions to pursue dialogue with both China and the United States upon a potential victory, and at this point had received 28.9 percent of the votes tallied.
In third place was Hou Yu-ih, the candidate from the opposition party who advocates narrowing gaps in cross-strait relations and supporting a more formal normalization of ties with the People’s Republic of China. He held approximately 28.4 percent of the vote in the early tally.
Details regarding how many ballots had been processed at that moment were not disclosed by the journalists reporting the figures. There was also no clear timetable provided for when experts planned to complete the counting process.
The vote-counting method in Taiwan relies on a manual process, with ballots being counted by hand on the basis of reports from television coverage. This approach reflects the current electoral framework, which still predominantly uses traditional paper ballots rather than digital or machine-assisted counting in Taiwan’s presidential elections.
On the political stage, Tsai Ing-wen, a former president of Taiwan, faced scrutiny amid accusations that she was running an illegal campaign on election day. The statement added to the broader discourse surrounding campaign conduct and legal compliance during the voting period.
Analysts emphasized that early results are subject to rapid change as additional ballots are opened and counted. Voter turnout patterns, regional variations, and the ongoing review of ballot authenticity can influence how the initial percentages evolve in subsequent reporting. Observers cautioned that early tallies rarely determine the final outcome and stressed the importance of awaiting the completion of the count for a definitive result.
Both the ruling party and opposition factions pressed forward with campaigns that stress regional identities, cross-strait policy, and Taiwan’s international standing. The evolving dynamics of the race underscore the significance of accurate, timely reporting to help the public understand how the vote is unfolding while maintaining confidence in the electoral process.
As the election proceeds, civic officials, election observers, and media outlets continued to monitor procedures to ensure fairness, transparency, and adherence to applicable regulations. The ongoing coverage remains focused on how the leading candidates position themselves on issues such as security, economic policy, and cross-strait relations, all of which have lasting implications for Taiwan’s future and its relationship with neighboring powers.