Taiwanese voters rejected a bid to oust about one-fifth of their lawmakers, all from the opposition Nationalist Party, in a recall election Saturday, dampening hopes for the ruling party to flip the balance of power in the self-ruled island’s legislature.

Tensions are high in Taiwan as threats from China and anger over political deadlock take center stage in an election to recall opposition lawmakers.

A democratic check or an abuse of power? Mass recall vote in Taiwan polarizes island after months of paralysis.