Nominations have begun for the by-elections triggered by the resignations of five pro-democracy lawmakers. With a group of university students - the 'Tertiary 2012' - pledging to field five candidates, none of the legislators can expect to return uncontested. In any case, the government must facilitate the election process according to the law so that the polls can take place on May 16.
The pro-establishment camp still insists on boycotting the by-elections, calling them a farce. They are entitled to their opinion, but if they try to block the polls it will only add to our deep-rooted internal conflicts, damaging the authority of the government and the rule of law.
A former member of the two key legislative bodies - the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference - has criticised the by-elections, saying they are illegal and unconstitutional, and should be banned. But common sense tells us that a by-election is neither illegal nor unconstitutional because there are no clauses in the Basic Law and the constitution that prohibit it.
Moreover, the government has already made it clear that the sole purpose of the May 16 polls is to fill the vacant seats in the Legislative Council, and the event does not amount to a referendum.
If the opposition continues to pressure the government to hinder the campaign process - such as banning the mailing of campaign materials and the installation of election billboards - it will give rise to a lot of legal problems afterwards. If a candidate fails to get elected, he or she could launch a judicial review against the government for unfair campaign practices.
Some people thought they could use Vice-President Xi Jinping's message to Hong Kong to further pressure the government. Xi, who recently met Hong Kong deputies to the NPC in Beijing, reiterated the importance of abiding strictly by the Basic Law.