The party, known as the Kuomintang (KMT), has been in power for almost 50 years, but has a parliamentary majority of just a few seats.

The island-wide elections will choose legislators for the national parliament, city councillors and mayors for Taiwan's two biggest cities - including the influential post of mayor of Taipei, currently held by the opposition.

President Lee Teng-hui getting into the campaign spirit

If the KMT were to lose its majority in the Legislative Yuan it would signal a major turning point in Taiwanese politics.

Gains by the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) could also affect traditionally sensitive relations with mainland China.

The DPP advocates declaring official independence for Taiwan - a concept strongly opposed by Beijing, which regards the island as a renegade province.

Some Taiwanese fear any such moves would provoke military action from China.

Fierce campaign

As polling day nears campaigning has become increasingly fierce with political passions occasionally overflowing into full-blown violence.

Many candidates have used bitter personal attacks and sex scandals to damage rivals, whilst allegations of vote buying have also raised concerns.

Twelve years after martial law was lifted, democracy is still young in Taiwan and government officials say converting the public to a clean democratic culture is proving a long, slow process.

Anecdotal evidence suggests vote buying is particularly strong in rural areas where many people see gift giving as an inherent part of election culture

Focus on Taipei

But it is the cities where the real focus of campaigning has been and the KMT has made it a top priority to regain control of the Taipei mayor's office - a contest that has overshadowed all others in the campaign.

A Taipei childs shows support for incumbent DPP mayor Chen Shui-bian

The KMT's candidate is one of their most popular politicians, a young former justice minister who pioneered an anti-corruption campaign.

He is challenging one of the opposition's brightest stars who has spent the last four years tackling juvenile crime and prostitution in the city.

A BBC correspondent in Taipei, Jill McGivering says the outcome of the contest for the city's top post is expected to have far-reaching implications.

Many people see the present Mayor as the most likely opposition candidate in the race for President in the year two thousand.