Saturday, March 10, 2012

Power to the People! - PH

"More power for Taiwan!"

PhotoHunt theme : power

When I was in Taiwan this January, the Taiwan Presidential Election was then heating up. My Taiwanese students brought me to buy election souvenirs of the various political parties and even attended a couple of rallies.

Taiwan's President and presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou waves to supporters during an election campaign in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 14, 2012. Photo: Vincent Yu / AP
Photo: Vincent Yu / AP

The Taiwanese Presidential Election is such a colourful affair. Holding balloons and waving flags, tens of thousands of Taiwanese paraded throughout the island to support their favored presidential candidates.The race was being closely watched by China and the United States.


I visited the election offices of the three presidential candidates : Ma Ing-jeou, Tsai Ing-wen and James Soong Chu-yu.



I was particularly impressed with Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) fund raising campaign 'Three Little Pigs' that sent round 100,000 piggy banks to collect small political donations for the party. I was lucky to own one of these piggy banks. :D


During the Taiwanese presidential election period, my Taiwanese students together with many voters, worked in the day and then attended rallies in the nights. Towards the end of the campaign, some voters even took leave from work or school to camp at the rally sites.


Even kitty wants to come to the rally!

Attending the rallies of the three candidates was an interesting and exciting experience. Surrounded by tens of thousands of screaming Taiwanese who were waving banners, flags, everyone was in high spirits. Luckily, the rallies were peaceful, no gunshots. :P


Eighteen million Taiwanese were eligible to vote in the polls, and about 80 percent of them were believed to have voted. On 14th January 2012, President Ma Ing-jeou was re-elected President of Taiwan by a comfortable margin.

Many countries are running Presidential Election in the year of 2012, including USA. If all goes well, I may be going to the USA to observe the Presidential Election in November. :)



25 comments:

  1. Interesting post. I'm impressed by how many people voted. We don't get anything like that high of a percentage voting in the U.S. presidential election.

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  2. I love your take on the theme. Very interesting to read about this and see your great photos. I hope you can come to the US this year!

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  3. I like your saturday theme.
    Hahaha.. Yeah, politician did play an important role and represent the power of people~

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  4. Great post for power! I especially liked that even kitty got to get in on the action :)

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  5. Power to Taiwan for showing that Chinese people can deal fine with democracy! :)

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  6. Hi ECL, how are you? I have not visited your blog for a while.

    More power to Taiwan!

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  7. It's such an experience to observe their election! Hopefully you will be going to USA in November! : )

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  8. The last photo hunt blog I visit actual had “people power theme”. But it sad that there people who don't participate in there election.
    I'm not one of them. I participate in our democracy.
    Mine is up and coffee is on.

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  9. The last photo hunt blog I visit actual had “people power theme”. But it sad that there people who don't participate in there election.
    I'm not one of them. I participate in our democracy.
    Mine is up and coffee is on.

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  10. I lived in Taiwan as a young girl... I still remember the music and the smells :-)
    I hope you get to come to visit in November!
    Sandi~ the other photohunter ;-)

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  11. I saw lots of these billboards too when I was there in December. Were you suppose to keep the piggy banks? :P

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  12. Carver,
    More than 80% of the registered Taiwanese voters cast a vote. The people want their voices heard.

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  13. Annie,
    I truly looking forward to going US this year. It is going to be an exciting trip.

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  14. Sue,
    I was tickled to see kitty in the crowds and all dressed up for the rally!

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  15. YSTL,
    Yes, power to Taiwan!

    And I hope Asians would fight for more democracy and their own rights.

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  16. Hi Ebie!
    It's been a long time! Nice to see you again. :D

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  17. foongpc,
    So lucky to get a piggy bank as a souvenir.

    It was a good experience to observe the Taiwan Presidential Election. I see the enthusiam of the Taiwanese and their desire to have their voices heard. Every one of the voters want to play a part and decide on where their country should go.

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  18. peppylady,
    Someones voters are so disillusioned with their government that they feel that their votes won't make a difference. They allow their government to dictate their lives.

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  19. Sandi,
    How interesting and lucky you were to live in Taiwan for a while! It is a beautifu country with very warm people.

    I am looking forward to my US trip. :)

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  20. AVCr8teur,
    As the election day was on 14th January 2012, Taiwan would have started the campaign earlier. Things starting heating up the week before the election day. I particularly enjoyed the TV shows where guests put their views across to influence the voters. Very exciting and a tight battle.

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  21. AVCr8teur,
    Oh, a piggy bank was given to me by the DPP's Campaign Manager. I was told I did not have to give back (stuff with dollar notes). :D

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