A third attempt by Taiwan's opposition party to force Chen Shui-bian out of office failed in the legislature on Friday as the ruling Democratic Progressive Party forced its members to boycott the vote.

One hundred and eighteen legislators voted in favour, 28 short of the two-thirds majority of the 218-seat legislature needed for the motion to pass.

Members of the Taiwan Solidarity Union cast spoiled ballots and one lawmaker voted no. Four independents were absent.

The motion was the third put forward by Kuomintang (KMT) and the People First Party in an attempt to oust Chen, who is under fire for a string of graft scandals involving his family.

The previous two unsuccessful recall votes were held in June and October.

Source: Xinhua