Running candidate and incumbent DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen made Taiwan international relations and developmental policy her main focus. Former premier Su Tseng-chang wished to secure a ground for Taiwan in the global village. Former DPP Chairman Hsu Hsin-liang focused on social welfare and constitutional government under the themes of “fairness” and “audacity.”

Official polling will start on April 25, with results available as early as April 27. The official DPP presidential candidate will be announced no later than Saturday, April 30.

DPP spokesperson Lin Yu-chang urged the media and DPP party members to respect the voting process and not leak out any numbers before the aforementioned dates.

The vote will be conducted next Monday through five presidential primary election polling agencies, with 3,000 questionnaires distributed. The questions will target public opinion on Tsai, Su and Hsu and their perceived chances against incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou.

At the presidential policy presentation last night, scholars were invited to pose questions to the running candidates, as well as former Health Minister Lee Ming-liang, Garden of Hope Foundation Director Chi Hui-jung and others on topics of medical, social and economic interests.

Tsai emphasized the importance of a future leader, explaining the policies Taiwan would undertake to develop relations with other countries, touching upon cross-strait relations and declaring that a “peaceful” development with China would be ideal.

The DPP chairwoman believed trade and business would play a huge role in strengthening international relations, especially in a globalized society. Taiwan should not be seen as a border of China, but transform itself into its own center for trade.

Su approached Taiwan's future with a historical perspective, emphasizing the importance of the 2012 presidency as crucial in paving a way for Taiwan in the global village. The former premier touched upon the need to further develop relationships with China and surrounding Asian countries.

Many media outlets have pointed out the disappointing lack of dialogue and debate among the candidates, blaming the way the DPP policy presentations are structured, namely the lack of cross-questioning or engaging debate to reveal the strength of the policies but a straight forward Q and A between the candidates and scholars.

The three DPP candidates also sent out the last wave of promotional ads for maximum exposure. Tsai yesterday had TV ads featuring a snack bar owner, a barber, a pregnant woman and others in order to appeal to the common people, stressing that “you hold the key to changing the future.”

Su continued running bilingual ads in Taiwanese and Mandarin on the radio.

According to the DPP primary voting policy, within the three days prior to elections, candidates are forbidden from releasing ads, participating in exclusive interviews, and announcing or discussing poll numbers.