Beijing -- The candidate from Taiwan's Kuomintang Party (KMT) Hau Lung-bin has been declared the winner of the election for mayor of Taipei.

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Although votes were still being counted at 7 pm Saturday, Hau was far out in front and local media has declared him the winner. Frank Hsieh the the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate has conceded defeat.

DPP narrowly wins in Kaohsiung

The candidate from Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chen Chu narrowly won a mayoral election in southern Kaohsiung city Saturday.

Chen Chu lead the KMT candidate Huang Jun-ying by 1,120 votes in Kaohsiung.

Polls opened on Saturday in Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan's two major cities, where voters will choose mayors and councilors.

Six candidates are competing in the race for mayor of Taipei, including Hau Lung-bin.

Frank Hsieh of the ruling DPP, and People First Party chairman James Soong were also vying for the Taipei post.

A total of 113 candidates are vying for 52 seats on Taipei City Council, which was currently dominated by the KMT.

Five candidates are running for Kaohsiung mayor. KMT's Huang Chun-ying and DPP's Chen Chu are the major competitors.

A total of 77 candidates are vying for 44 seats in the Kaohsiung City council, where no party holds a majority.