Ssu Kuang-yang, the son of Kuomintang legislator Wan Mei-ling, has given up his party's nomination after becoming embroiled in a bullying controversy, and will instead contest the Taoyuan City councillor election as an independent — an element of uncertainty for the pan-blue camp's electoral prospects.

• Ssu Kuang-yang registered this afternoon as a candidate for city councillor in the first electoral district at the Taoyuan City Election Commission, accompanied by classmates and friends.
• He had originally secured the KMT's nomination, but has faced continual accusations of involvement in bullying since announcing his candidacy.
• In July he announced that he was giving up the nomination and would instead run with the party's prior notification, saying it was to avoid implicating party superiors and colleagues.
• He stressed that he wants to hold on to the seat for the pan-blue camp, and that he will continue to support Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng.

Outlook: Running as an independent could split the pan-blue vote, and the shape of the race will depend on how the KMT handles its nomination arrangements in the same district.