Meanwhile, the KMT also announced its timetable for the legislative nomination process, which will be conducted in three phases over the next two months, with the final results to be announced by the 25th of May.

KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou presided over the Central Standing Committee, which officially passed the nomination rules for the next legislative elections.

The sign-up forms could be picked up on March 11th and the third stage of nomination process is expected to be done from April to May.

To maximize the winning chances, the nomination process is carried out ahead of schedule.

One of the controversial proposals in the meeting was a proposal that forbids incumbent representatives of the people from running the legislative elections if they fail to serve half of their terms.

But the proposal was not passed since it has caused disparaging comments from within the party.

The party worried the proposal would prompt no one to run in Southern Taiwan.

Without the limit, the candidate pool is exploding in Northern Taiwan.

The party is troubled by the issue and stressed the nomination is based on the principle of unity and negotiation.

If a negotiation doesn't work, then it would carry out a primary, which relies on a mix of party primaries of 30 percent and public polls of 70 percent to select nominees.

The party central also looses up the limit, allowing 100 percent public polls if half of the candidates in the city or county agree to the system.