Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen took time off to appear at a candidate registration rally for her party, drawing criticism that she is mixing city government with campaigning.

• Lu joined more than 30 KMT city council candidates as they registered for Taiwan's local elections, on a normal workday.
• Her rival for mayor, DPP candidate Ho Hsin-chun, said there should be a clear line between running the city and running a campaign.
• Ho argued city resources should not be used to back one specific candidate, and said voters can see the line being crossed.
• The city government's personnel office said Lu had filed for leave in advance because the event was not official business.

Outlook: Expect more clashes over the mayor's use of her office as Taichung's election race heats up.