They were held alongside the presidential election, which Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang handily won. The Central Election Commission announced Referendum Five received 5,881,589 valid votes or 35.82 percent of the electorate and Referendum Six 5,686,369 votes or 35.74 percent.

To be valid, a referendum has to be voted on by at least half of the eligible voters; and a simple majority passes it.

"Neither of the referendums was valid," said a spokesman for the CEC, an agency founded under the Executive Yuan to hold and supervise elections as well as referendums.

Referendum Five, sponsored by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, asked the voters: "Whereas the People's Republic of China replaced the Republic of China in Chinese representation in the United Nations in 1971 and whereas Taiwan has become an international orphan, do you agree that the government acts to make Taiwan join the United Nations in the name Taiwan to strongly express the will of the people of Taiwan and elevate its status and maximize its activities in the international community?"

It was the referendum opposed by the People's Republic of China as well as the United nations and other world powers.

The Kuomintang sponsored the other referendum which asked the voters: "Do you agree that our country should apply for a return to the United Nations and its affiliated organizations, using a practical and flexible strategy with regard to its title?" or i.e., do you agree to a return to the United Nations under the name of the Republic of China or Taiwan or any other name which may help it return to the United Nations and its affiliated organizations without losing its dignity?"

The United States and other world powers did not oppose the Kuomintang-sponsored referendum.