Members of the KMT take to the polls tomorrow to choose their next leader. Incumbent Johnny Chiang, who''s running for reelection, faces a serious challenge to his seat in the form of party stalwart Eric Chu. Chu has positioned himself as a centrist, and he''s appeared to have won endorsement from most of his party''s lawmakers. But a hard-line dark horse candidate threatens to shut down his hopes for party leadership.

KMT supporters clad in ROC-flag adorned clothing surround party chairman candidate Chang Ya-chung. Party members go to the polls on Saturday, and Chang’s supporters are out in force at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.

Chang Ya-chung
KMT chairperson candidate
Tomorrow, if you are a party member, you must come out to vote. We must ensure that the blue sky, white sun and wholly red earth of the R.O.C. flag fly not only in Taiwan, but throughout the world.

Eric Chu
KMT chairperson candidate
The KMT must not become extreme. It must not go astray, and it must not lose itself to froth. We must be resolutely blue, and resolutely defend democracy and freedom.

Chang on the left, shouting “Republic of China!” On the right, it’s Chu in a social media ad, urging supporters to not become extreme. At the Legislative Yuan, 29 of the party’s 38 lawmakers endorsed Chu for the post.

Lined up shouting slogans, these KMT lawmakers make a rare group appearance. Chu is a favorite for the seat, but Chang’s influence has recently surged. Together the two have left incumbent Johnny Chiang with little hope of a second term.

Johnny Chiang
KMT Chairman
Former Chairman Eric Chu came here to pay his respects, and coming out to welcome him was just a basic show of manners. Many colleagues have already apologized to me, because the meeting turned out to be a rally, which wasn’t their intention.

Lee Cheng-hao
Political commentator
The KMT members are demonstrating their anxieties over the fate of the party. The situation is that KMT members have concerns about Chang Ya-chung. I often joke that the KMT is afraid of “Chung.” That “Chung” is referring to Chang Ya-chung, not the Chinese word for China, Chung Kuo.

Fear and loathing could come into play in the vote, which takes place in less than 24 hours.