Taiwan ballots to court

2004-03-22 08:26

Taipei - Taiwan's High Court is considering demands for a recount after President Chen Shui-bian's narrow re-election, as the stock market slumped and the island braced for new protests.

The court on Sunday ordered more than 13 700 ballot boxes to be sealed after Chen's challenger blamed a high number of spoiled ballot papers and an election eve assassination attempt on the president for scuppering his chances.

A panel of three judges was to consider the opposition demand for a recount in a legal battle that could run for weeks, but the financial markets gave an early verdict on the turmoil as stocks fell nearly 7% in morning trading.

Protests erupted across the island after Chen was officially named as the victor over his sole challenger Lien Chan in Saturday's poll, which took place just hours after the president was shot and slightly injured.

Protests continue

Thousands of angry KMT supporters continued to protest behind barbed wire barricades defending the presidential office on Monday, after some remained overnight, camped in tents and sleeping bags.

Election officials said it planned to press ahead with a formal declaration of Chen's victory on March 26 and hand over documents certifying his victory on March 31 unless barred by the court.

His inauguration for a second term is on May 20.

- AFP