Taiwan's ruling party is showing off its internal muscle in Taichung ahead of November's local elections, a neutral-to-positive sign for DPP unity in a city the opposition currently runs.

• Fifteen DPP city council candidates from the New Tide faction registered together in Taichung, led by lawmaker Tsai Chi-chang.
• A separate DPP faction, Cheng Kuo Hui, registered seven candidates under its own banner, escorted by a Mazu deity statue from a local temple for good luck.
• The New Tide slate mixes eleven incumbents with four newcomers, pitched as ready to serve from day one.
• The opposition KMT responds next with 34 candidates, backed by Taichung mayor Lu Shiow-yen and legislative vice speaker Johnny Chiang.

Outlook: Registration wraps up shortly and the campaign moves to the November 28 vote, with Taichung a key battleground between the DPP and the KMT.