TAIPEI - Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou submitted his application to run for chairman of Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party on Thursday.

The KMT must push party reform forward in order to achieve solidarity, said Ma, who is currently serving as the party's chairman, in his declaration of candidacy.

The KMT is scheduled to elect a new chairperson in July. Potential candidates are required to submit their applications from June 20 to 21.

Party members will cast their ballots starting from July 20 and the results will be announced on July 22.

Ma was elected party chairman twice in 2005 and 2009, respectively.