High Court Finds No Systematic Fraud in Vote

Taiwan’s High Court rejected an opposition petition to declare the March 20 presidential election invalid because of alleged voting irregularities and a mysterious shooting that slightly injured the president a day before the vote.

Presiding Judge Cheng Ya-ping said the opposition’s demand was rejected because no systematic fraud was found.

President Chen Shui-bian narrowly won, but his opponent -- Nationalist Party leader Lien Chan -- has refused to accept the result. A recount cut Chen’s lead to 25,000 from 30,000 of 13 million ballots cast.

Dozens of protesters scuffled with police outside the courthouse.