TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan's recall campaigns have entered the third stage with a vote set for July 26.

A total of 24 KMT legislators, including KMT legislative caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁), face a major challenge with both supporters and opponents of recall campaigns canvassing in downtown Hualien on Sunday, per CNA.

KMT supporters turned out at Hualien's Chongqing Market in the morning, including New Taipei Legislator Lin Kuo-chun (林國春), KMT Central Review Committee member Mars Chen (陳茂嘉), and Hualien County Councilors Hsu Hsueh-yu (徐雪玉), Wu Chien-chih (吳建志), Wu Dong-sheng (吳東昇), and Han Lin-mei (韓林梅).

The KMT group urged the public to "stand up for justice" and "reject political struggles and defend democracy" by turning out to vote “no” on July 26. Shoppers at the market showed support for their cause.

Lin said his group also received support from vendors while canvassing at the Dongdamen Night Market the previous evening. He accused the DPP of manipulating public sentiment to stir up social unrest. He urged the public to vote "no" on the recall of Fu Kun-chi so that he would continue to fight for the people of Hualien in the legislature.

Meanwhile, DPP Legislator Wang Yi-chuan (王義川) led a group of supporters to canvas Jian Dusk Market in the afternoon. Wang's group received enthusiastic support from both the vendors and the shoppers in the market.

Wang spoke to media gathered at the market, noting that no DPP politicians appeared on the recall ballot. He said that despite the absence of his party on the recall ballot, this has not stopped KMT Hualien County councilors from holding daily press conferences to criticize the DPP, which he said was misguided.

Wang urged the public not to be distracted and, instead, focus their attention on the recall of KMT Legislator Fu Kun-chi. He said that last year, Hualien was recovering from a major earthquake, with many houses targeted for demolition. A few weeks after the large quake, Fu was on a trip to China with a group of KMT legislators.

He added that it has been more than a year since the earthquake, and many people have yet to return to their homes. Wang said Fu must ultimately pay the price, as he urged the public to vote "yes" for his recall.