Taiwan's high court sealed election ballot boxes today as protesters massed to demonstrate against President Chen Shui-bian's victory after a mysterious assassination attempt and the discovery of many spoiled ballots.
Defeated Nationalist Party contender Mr Lien Chan called for a recount and a special inquiry into the shooting of incumbent Mr Chen on the eve of Saturday's poll. After a tight contest, the opposition believe public sympathy swung the vote in Mr Chen's favour.
The court could select a judge to decide on a recount as early as tomorrow after Mr Lien questioned how more than 330,000 votes had been ruled invalid. He lost by about 29,000 votes out of nearly 13 million cast.
A decision on a recount could cause political turmoil and would be a severe test for the young democracy of Taiwan.
Joining thousands of cheering supporters staging a sit-in outside the presidential palace, Mr Lien demanded answers to the many questions surrounding Friday's shooting in which Mr Chen and Vice President Annette Lu were slightly wounded.
"Why don't we trust the government? Because there are too many things under a cloud of suspicion," Mr Lien told supporters. There has been widespread speculation that the shooting may have been staged, but officials have denied this.
The president and his deputy sustained minor gunshot wounds while campaigning in an open-top jeep.
Police ordered 10,000 Lien supporters gathered in front of the presidential palace to disperse today but the demonstrators stood firm, waving Taiwan flags, hooting airhorns and chanting: "Immediate recount, nullify the election".
Hundreds of helmeted police in in full riot gear and backed by water cannon were deployed to protect the building.