TAIPEI, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party Eric Chu on Friday said he would not contest the island's 2016 leadership race, despite the requests of many of his supporters.

"I won't run for 2016. Is that OK?" said Chu, who is also mayor of New Taipei city. This stance is consistent with past responses when the media have quizzed him on his aspirations.

As KMT chairman, he said, he was needed in a supervisory capacity, and he called on the younger generation to join the legislative election next year.

The KMT started its internal nomination process for the 2016 election on Wednesday. However, its candidate nominee could be named as late as mid July this year.

Currently, deputy head of the Taiwan legislature Hung Hsiu-chu is the only KMT member to have publicly announced her intention to seek the candidacy.

In addition to Chu, another top legislator Wang Jin-pying has been identified as a potential candidate.

Chu replaced Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou as KMT chairman on Jan. 19 after the party lost to the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

The DPP has officially endorsed the candidacy of its chair Tsai Ing-wen for the 2016 election.