TAIPEI — On the last Sunday of campaigning for the Taiwanese presidential elections, the candidates held mass rallies in their traditional strongholds yesterday, with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) frontrunner Tsai Ing-wen speaking in Tainan while Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Eric Chu rallied in Taoyuan.

Addressing more than 30,000 supporters in the southern city of Tainan, Dr Tsai pledged to battle corruption and said that it would be her first priority if elected.

“When you see vote buying during the elections, please report it. Do not let bribery bury Taiwanese democracy,” said Dr Tsai, who spoke in a mixture of Mandarin and local dialect.

She also pledged to balance development between northern and southern Taiwan, saying that she plans to enhance the research and development industry in Tainan.

“Let’s bring talent from everywhere to Tainan. They will work and live here. Tainan people can stay here and find good jobs without needing to work elsewhere,” she said.

Dr Tsai also took the opportunity to drum up support for DPP’s slate of candidates contesting in the concurrent legislative elections, arguing that the DPP has put forth “exceptional talent who are willing to stand forward and give up their comfortable lives and jobs”.

The DPP has a strong following in southern Taiwan while the KMT enjoys strong support in Taipei in the north and its surrounds, including Taoyuan city. Speaking to thousands of KMT supporters in Taoyuan, Dr Chu dismissed Dr Tsai’s criticism of KMT government’s performance as “rubbish”.

“In the last eight years, the government has tried its best in everything it does. We have done well in many areas. In those areas where we have not done well, we apologise. We will change and improve,” he said.

The two-hour long rally featured singing performances, speeches, and ended with a 15-minute rally by Dr Chu, who was born in the city.

Images of his childhood were flashed on stage, and Dr Yuan touted his record as a commissioner in Taoyuan for eight years before being appointed vice-premier in 2009.

The campaigning itinerary for the three presidential hopefuls intersected in Tainan yesterday, with Dr Tsai kicking off her “Light up Taiwan” motorcade rally in the city’s Anping Temple. She later joined the campaigning for the DPP candidate in the legislative elections at nearby Jiayi city before addressing the rally in Tainan at night.

Dr Chu also visited a traditional market in the city to seek support, while People First Party’s James Soong visited the central city of Taichung followed by Tainan.

It was the last weekend of campaigning before the vote for president next Saturday, with Dr Tsai of main opposition DPP expected to emerge victorious.

Young voters — many of who subscribe to a more distinct Taiwanese identity and are sceptical over whether closer economic ties with China will filter down to the average workers — are believed to be more supportive of Dr Tsai.

The DPP has released a third campaign video calling for young Taiwanese to go back to their hometowns to vote in Saturday’s election.

“Young people, it is time for you to help revolutionise Taiwan by bringing a new light of hope,” DPP spokesperson Yang Chia-liang said yesterday.

KMT has struggled for public support, due to scepticism over its China-friendly policies and anger at the island’s stagnating economy.

But despite polls showing that Dr Chu is lagging behind, he still managed to draw massive crowds on the streets of Taipei on Saturday afternoon. ALBERT WAI WITH AGENCIES