Taiwan marred by fraud allegations

Taiwan marred by fraud allegations

TAIPEI (AP): President Chen Shui-bian's party held a primary on Sunday to select candidates for year-end national and local elections, the first since it became the ruling party last year.

About 60 percent of the Democratic Progressive Party's nearly 200,000 members cast votes at polling stations throughout the island.

Out of the 145 candidates, the party will select up to 80 members to run for the 225-seat Legislature. Twenty-three others will be selected to run for mayoral and county executive seats.

The new government counted on the elections to reserve its predicament. Although Chen was elected president, the government's bills are often blocked in the opposition-controlled legislature.