DPP tightens discipline in election sprint, Lai warns against poll‑driven chaos

As the voting day for the year‑end nine‑in‑one elections draws nearer, the campaign has entered its most critical sprint phase, and the internal atmosphere of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has become increasingly tense. President Lai Ching‑te, who also serves as DPP chair, addressed an important party meeting today with remarks on the current electoral landscape. He explicitly called on all party members—including candidates, campaign staff, and officials at every level—not to over‑interpret or react impulsively to the rapidly shifting campaign dynamics and poll figures. Instead, he urged them to maintain a steady pace, respect the established plans and rhythms of local campaign headquarters, and avoid disrupting the original campaign cadence.

Lai emphasized that local elections differ fundamentally from nationwide contests; each county or city possesses distinct voter demographics, local factions, issue priorities, and candidate attributes. Consequently, local campaign headquarters are best positioned to grasp the on‑the‑ground pulse and operational requirements. He asked party comrades to afford these local teams a high degree of respect and trust, allowing each headquarters to advance its work according to its own assessment and timing rather than being unsettled by sporadic external disturbances or media speculation. This, he said, is essential for the overall election machinery to operate at maximum effectiveness.

In recent years, Taiwan’s local elections have attracted intense media scrutiny and public commentary, with poll data, online activity, and street‑level rumors proliferating and often generating internal unease or overreaction within party ranks. Lai’s comments, while intended to steady morale, also constitute a strategic reminder drawn from his extensive campaign experience. At this decisive countdown stage, any unnecessary internal noise or over‑interpretation could squander valuable political energy and campaign resources. Unity and a methodical, step‑by‑step approach, he argued, are the only ways to break through the fierce competition.

Beyond urging a stable campaign rhythm, Lai issued a mobilization order to all party officials, demanding complete unity and the utmost effort to win broad public support. He noted that as the governing party, the DPP must present its best achievements and policy vision for voter assessment. Each party official, he said, is a crucial “screw” that safeguards Taiwan’s democracy and drives local progress; they must exert maximum influence in their respective roles, listen deeply to grassroots concerns, and move voters with sincerity and action in order to secure victory in the year‑end election.

Viewed against the broader political backdrop, the year‑end nine‑in‑one elections represent not only a renewal of local leaders and legislators but also a significant mid‑term test for the central administration. Lai’s timing in setting the tone demonstrates the chair’s command over the overall campaign tempo while seeking to alleviate potential internal anxiety through discipline and solidarity. As the polling day approaches, the DPP’s ability to follow the chair’s directives, maintain a steady operational pace, and galvanize grassroots cohesion will be decisive in determining the outcome of the election.

(Source: Central News Agency)