The two pan-democrat candidates fighting for the more than 12,500 votes in the social welfare functional constituency only appear to be separated by their views on funding.
Social Workers' General Union president Peter Cheung Kwok-che and Democratic Party vice-chairman Tik Chi-yuen are the only candidates contesting the sector after incumbent Civic Party lawmaker Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung decided to run in the New Territories West geographical constituency this year.
Peter Cheung lost out to Fernando Cheung by just 64 votes four years ago, while Mr Tik was a directly elected lawmaker for New Territories North from 1991 to 1995.
The lump-sum grant scheme for welfare organisations, introduced in 2000, has triggered fierce debate in the sector, with many arguing that the government has used the scheme to cut its resources.
Peter Cheung said he was opposed to the scheme because it had given too much financial flexibility to welfare organisations, with many opting to cut frontline staff numbers and salaries.
'The heavy workload and unfair salary structure have damaged morale among social workers, leading to a very high turnover,' he said.