Kinmen's local election registration has closed with a crowded field, though the ruling KMT's pick still looks like the clear favorite.

• Seven people registered for the Kinmen county chief job, including political newcomers and a retired academic who signed up at the last minute.
• KMT nominee Chen Yu-chen is seen as the steady front-runner despite the crowd.
• The council race is just as busy, with 35 people competing for 19 seats across three districts.
• Township chief contests are tight too, with up to four candidates fighting for a single seat in some towns.
• Some veteran councillors are stepping aside and handing their seats to family members, while township-level officials switch lanes to run higher.

Outlook: Expect the many independents to split the anti-KMT vote, leaving Chen well placed as campaigning gets underway.