File photos of James Soong (L) from the People First Party, Eric Chu (M) from the Kuomintang and Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party. [Photo: huanqiu.com]

Taiwan's election commission has formally announced three pairs of candidates running for the island's 2016 leader's election.

Eric Chu and his running mate Wang Ju-hsuan will represent the Kuomintang, which is the island's current ruling party.

The other pairs are Tsai Ing-wen and her running mate from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as well as James Soong of the People First Party and his running mate.

The election campaign is due to start on Saturday and last till January 15.

In addition to the leadership election, Taiwan residents will also elect legislators.

Both elections are scheduled for January 16.