An unusual situation has emerged in the Taichung City Council elections, with two districts having only one set of candidates registered, meaning those candidates win without a vote being held. It is good news for a DPP newcomer, but closes off the opportunity for others who had hoped to run.

• Registration for the year-end local elections closed yesterday, and both Taichung's 3rd and 14th districts have uncontested races.
• In the 14th district, DPP newcomer Chan Chih-hsiang won outright in his first run for office, making him the only newcomer in this election to "win upon registering."
• The reason is that five-term DPP councillor Tsai Cheng-kuei announced he would not seek re-election, handing the seat to the younger generation, and no family member was interested in succeeding him.
• Chan, 39, said he would not become complacent as a result, and would continue to keep up a busy schedule of local engagements while assisting fellow party newcomers with their campaigns.

Outlook: With the race in the mountain districts settled, attention will now shift to other closely contested districts.