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.

The votes could reshape the island democracy's parliament and the government's approach to its powerful neighbor.