TAIPEI - Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang and opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) kept their seats at the legislative body unchanged in five by-elections held Saturday to fill vacancies, with the KMT winning two seats and DPP three.

KMT candidates Hsu Chih-jung and Hsu Shu-hua won in their electoral districts in Miaoli County and Nantou County, respectively, according to preliminary results announced by the election commission.

Meanwhile, DPP candidates Huang Kuo-shu, Chuang Ruei-hsiung and Chen Su-yueh won by-elections in Taichung City, Pingtung County and Changhua County, respectively.

After the by-elections, the KMT still has 65 lawmakers in the 112-seat legislative body, while the DPP holds 40 seats.

The by-elections were held to fill the vacancies left by former lawmakers who won mayoral or county chief elections in November last year.