Members on the commission said the polling stations will open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the day in Taiwan and on all offshore islands.

The voting time is two hours longer than the usual hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for most elections held in Taiwan.

Officials said the two extra hours are intended for giving eligible voters ample time to cast their ballots in the elections.

The elections of mayors and city council members in the two special municipalities of Taipei and Kaohsiung are set for 2010.