TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 18 (UPI) -- Taiwan's presidential vote recount has produced some 35,000 questionable ballots so far, more than the margin of difference between the two candidates.
The ballots have been turned over to the High Court, which will hold hearings next week with representatives from the parties of President Chen Shui-bian and his opponent Lien Chan. Final decisions on vote validity will be made by court judges.
Controversial ballots are those smudged with ink, unclearly stamped or stamped on the edge of the designated area, the Taipei Times reported Tuesday, citing a court spokesman.
A spokesman for the president's Democratic Progressive Party said that Chen had lost about 3,000 votes due to the invalid ballots, not enough to benefit the opposition.
The recount is due to be concluded by Thursday. The same day Chen will be inaugurated for his second term in office. Chen won re-election by some 30,000 votes.
Lien's party is expected to pursue all possible avenues to have the High Court overturn the vote, even after the inauguration.
