The Taiwan People's Party has faced a string of venue cancellations at its local election rallies in Taichung — bad news for the party's candidates, and a further sign of rising tension in the campaign.

• TPP founding chairman Ko Wen-je had planned to visit Taichung's Shuinan Market to canvass for Liu Chin-yu, the party's candidate for city councillor in Xitun District, but the market notified him just before he set out that the venue had been booked by someone else.
• The market said another application for a 40-person assembly and march had already been filed for that day, leaving Ko and his entourage to move to the Qinghai Road intersection and campaign under the blazing sun.
• Liu Chin-yu said she had applied first and was still cancelled, adding that venues for a previous Beyblade tournament and parent-child events had also run into problems one after another, and questioned whether someone was obstructing them.
• She also acknowledged that those who lend her venues may end up offending others, but said she believes the election in Xitun has been peaceful overall.

Outlook: With the local elections entering their most heated phase, similar tussles over venues and resources are expected to continue.