TAIPEI: Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou, in his capacity as chairman of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT), said Wednesday that the KMT probably will announce its nominees for heads of the five special municipalities in March or April and the decisions will be made after conducting opinion polls.

In an interview, Ma said that the party will decide on the nominees either by coordinating among those interested, recruiting competent aspirants, or taking opinion polls into consideration.

"While trying to win the elections, the party must also win the hearts of the people," he said, adding that in the elections for local government heads, the quality of the candidates is what will determine the results.

In response to media questions on the possible nomination of incumbent Taichung Mayor Jason Hu to run in the New Taichung municipality - a merger of the existing Taichung City and Taichung County - Ma said that those who wish to compete in the elections are welcome to express their interest, but added that no decision has yet been made in this regard.