Polls have closed in Taiwan in an unprecedented and controversial vote aimed at ousting lawmakers accused of being too close to China. More than 30 lawmakers have been targeted in the "dabamian", or Great Recall vote, initiated by a civic movement.

Taiwanese voters rejected a bid to oust about one-fifth of their lawmakers, all from the opposition Nationalist Party, in a recall election Saturday, dampening hopes for the ruling party to flip the balance of power in the self-ruled island's legislature.

A democratic check or an abuse of power? Mass recall vote in Taiwan polarizes island after months of paralysis.