Taipei, Nov. 26 (CNA) Jason Hu, Taichung mayoral candidate of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT), ended his campaign rally early on the eve of election day after a fellow KMT politician was shot in a similar campaign event in northern Taiwan.
Lien Sheng-wen, also known as Sean Lien, the eldest son of KMT honorary chairman Lien Chan, was shot in the face by a gunman when speaking on behalf of a candidate at arally in Yungho, near Taipei City, at around 8: 30 p.m. He is a member of the KMT central committee.
Lien was reportedly in stable condition and undergoing surgery although another man, apparently a KMT supporter who happened to be at the rally, was killed. The assailant has been apprehended.
Hu asked his supporters to observe a moment of silence and to pray for Lien before cutting short the rally at 9: 20 p.m., citing safety concerns. The rally was to end at 10 p.m.
President Ma Ying-jeou and KMT candidates in other constituencies, including Taipei City's Hau Lung-bin, condemned the violent incident.
A "three-in-one" elections, which will elect five special municipality mayors, 314 city councilors and thousands of ward chiefs, are scheduled to be held Saturday. (By Chris Wang) enditem/jc