New blood in poll just the ticket for Democrats
The Democratic Party plans to field at least one ticket led by a second-tier member in each geographical constituency in September's Legislative Council elections, paving the way for new blood.
The party plans to field at least two tickets in each of the five constituencies.
One ticket will be headed by a new face, the other by incumbent legislators.
Second-tier party members who hope to participate in the forthcoming election welcomed the new strategy. They see it as a golden opportunity to prepare for future Legco elections.
Speaking after the party's central committee meeting on Thursday, veteran member Lee Wing-tat said many members agreed with the strategy of introducing new faces in the coming election.
However, a party introducing two tickets vying for one seat may result in splitting the vote and reducing the number of seats won.
Mr Lee did not rule out such a possibility, particularly in Kowloon East and Kowloon West, which were identified as hotly contested districts.
'But unless it can be proved with scientific figures that by bringing two tickets [into one constituency] might cost the party all the seats, we should keep trying [to introduce the second tier-led ticket],' he said.
The second-tier ticket plan was in response to a call for making way for new blood, Mr Lee said.
It would also pave the way for young members to rise in the party's ranks.
Andrew Fung Wai-kwong, a second-tier member and elected councillor for the Southern District Council, welcomed the plan and said voters also wished to see new faces from the party.
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