Taipei, Jan 13: Voters in Taiwan went to the polls on Saturday to choose a new parliament, with analysts predicting a win for the opposition nationalists over the party of independence-leaning President Chen Shui-bian.

The election comes just two months before Taiwan picks a successor to Chen, whose drive to assert the island’s independent identity has angered rival China and polarised the population of 23 million people in this high-tech hub. Polling stations were to close at 4:00 pm (0800 GMT), with ballot counting to begin immediately afterwards. More than 17 million people are eligible to vote, with turnout expected to be about 60 percent.

Observers have forecast a decisive victory for the nationalist Kuomintang (KMT), which would give a significant boost to its presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou, who is leading the DPP’s Frank Hsieh ahead of the March 22 polls. The KMT, which currently holds a slim parliamentary majority with its allies, has promised voters it will revive Taiwan’s stagnant economy and says pursuing warmer ties with China will open the door to new jobs.

Chen’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) counters that Taiwan’s sovereign identity is vital to its democracy, and warns the KMT will sell Taiwan out to China, which sees the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification. China and Taiwan split at the end of a civil war in 1949.

“Democracy is not a gift that just falls from the sky,” Chen said after casting his vote at a Taipei elementary school with his wife, Wu Shu-chen. “Let this election be a victory for Taiwan, for democracy and for justice. Let’s stop the hatred and use love to safeguard Taiwan.”

Ma, who has spearheaded the KMT’s parliamentary campaign, warned supporters on election eve: “We have to oust the party that likes to play tricks.”

Both parties have been dogged by allegations of corruption in recent months, with Chen’s wife on trial for misuse of public funds, his son-in-law convicted of insider trading and his Vice President Annette Lu indicted for graft. Ma was last month cleared of graft and breach of trust charges, clearing the way for him to run for the presidency, but prosecutors have decided to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. The KMT held power for more than half a century before Chen took office in 2000, and a win for the nationalists in both the legislative and presidential elections this year could end years of political gridlock. “I am very disappointed at the DPP which has done poorly in the past eight years. The economy is terrible and people are struggling to make ends meet,” said retired telecom engineer Wu Hsiao-huu.

Taipei resident Chin Chen-lin, 83, agreed: “Enough is enough. Look at what they did to our country. They had their chances and they did not really care for the people.”

DPP supporters said they were tired of party rhetoric from both sides.

“They always accuse the ruling party which to me has done quite well ... The two parties can’t fight like this for the good of the people,” said a business consultant who give his last name as Yu.

Another man, who only gave his last name as Ding, told AFP: “The political confrontation makes me sick. I just hope that my vote counts.”

Taiwan’s legislature -- known for regular brawls on the floor of the chamber -- has been streamlined from its current 225 seats to just 113 in an effort to improve efficiency.

Voters will cast two ballots -- one for a specific candidate in their district and a second for the party of their choice. Parties must win a minimum of five percent of the vote to get seats.