Taiwan's ruling party is gearing up early for the year-end local elections, a defensive move aimed at guarding against dirty tricks at the ballot box.

• The DPP's Taipei branch has set up a legal support team of five lawyers ahead of the November local elections.
• The lawyers will handle disputes over fake news, smear campaigns, vote-buying, and misuse of the party emblem.
• Together with Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen's campaign, the branch is recruiting a thousand volunteer poll watchers, with first training in October.
• On election day, the legal team will move quickly on any disputes and can take legal action on the spot.

Outlook: The branch plans to expand the group into a full 2026 Taipei election legal team as campaigning heats up toward the vote.