The Taiwan People's Party and the People First Party have fielded city council candidates in Keelung, with both parties hoping to win seats in the year-end local elections, putting vote-splitting pressure on the two major parties, the KMT and the DPP.

• Ko Wen-je, founding chairman of the Taiwan People's Party, accompanied the party's four nominated Keelung City Council candidates to the election commission to complete their registration.
• The candidates held up baseball bats and shouted slogans, symbolising their intention to hit a home run in the election.
• Ko Wen-je urged the candidates to work the grassroots diligently, stressing that only by first making voters familiar with them can they build a base of support.
• People First Party Chairman James Soong also brought three candidates to register, asking them to raise their right hands and pledge to work the grassroots after being elected.
• Soong said Taiwan faces major changes in the world, and the People First Party's position is one of moderation, rationality and pragmatism.

Outlook: The Keelung election has entered the formal campaign stage following registration, and whether the smaller parties can win seats on the council will test their grassroots mobilisation capabilities.