Report: Taiwan to seal ballots
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TAIPEI, Taiwan (CNN) -- Taiwan's high court has ordered all ballot boxes sealed as demonstrators protest the results of presidential elections, according to The Associated Press.
Thousands marched to the presidential office demanding a recount after President Chen Shui-bian won in a narrow re-election on Saturday.
Chen secured a second term by 6,47 million votes to 6,44 million for opponent Lien Chan, a margin of just under 30,000 votes.
The electoral commission said about 300,000 votes were invalid -- 10 times the margin of victory.
Lien, from the KMT Nationalist Party, said he will fight the "unfair" razor-thin election victory as mainland Chinese officials said they were "closely following" the developments.
In an official statement, the Taiwan Affairs office in mainland China noted that some Taiwan media considered it an unfair election.
"We are closely following the developments," the Chinese added.
China also criticized a referendum that asked whether Taiwan should boost its defense capability against China's missile threat and open negotiations with Beijing. The referendum failed because not enough voters cast ballots on the questions. (Full story)
As well as demanding the election be declared null and void, Lien also raised doubts about an apparent assassination attempt on the president and Vice President Annette Lu, which he says affected the vote.
No one has been arrested in connection with Friday's shooting, which took place on the last day of campaigning in Tainan.
"We still have not been given a true explanation of yesterday's shooting incident," Lien said.
"It's impact on our election is clear, direct and across the board."
'Knew something wrong'
|  Blood from Chen's bullet wound can be seen in television footage. |
Some Lien supporters believe the shooting was staged to steer a sympathy vote toward Chen.
Chen and Lu were shot as they waved from the back of a truck, and fireworks were being set off along the route.
"When it happened, I first thought it was a firecracker," Chen told reporters after casting his ballot in Taipei.
"I asked my bodyguard to give me some first aid so I could continue the motorcade, then I found out that my clothes were heavily stained with blood.
"Then I saw the bullet hole in the windshield. Then I knew something was wrong."
The gunfire wounded Chen in the abdomen and Lu in the knee, but their injuries were not serious and they were discharged from hospital Friday night.
A senior Chen adviser said the president's camp had no objection in principle to a recount and to exploring the election process but was concerned about inflammatory language Lien used in criticizing the election.
After the official results were announced, Chen told supporters he won fairly, but did not address Lien's complaints.
"This is not a personal or a party victory, but a victory of Taiwan's democracy, a victory of Taiwan's people," Chen said.
He extended his respect to his election opponents and called on citizens to "tolerate" each other's viewpoints "to create a harmonious and united new Taiwan."
"I will continue to listen to different views. I will continue to fight for Taiwan's future," Chen said.
'Confident'
In Washington, the State Department praised the democratic election and took note of the opposition questions about the outcome.
"We are confident that both sides and their supporters will remain calm, and that they will use the established legal mechanisms to resolve any questions about the election results," said Adam Ereli, deputy State Department spokesman.
Polls closed around 4 p.m. (3 a.m. ET) and local media reported the turnout reached 80 percent.
Chen and his pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party swept to power in 2000, ousting the Nationalist Party, which ruled the island for five decades and opposed Taiwan's independence from the mainland.
Chen, who supports Taiwan's independence, had pushed ahead with the referendum despite warnings from Beijing and Washington not to take any steps that could fuel tensions with mainland China.
Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary.
Lien, one of Taiwan's richest men, favors what is widely regarded as a more conciliatory approach to China. (Profiles: The candidates)
CNN Senior Asia Correspondent Mike Chinoy contributed to this report.
