Next month's rural elections promise to be the most competitive since the handover with a record number of registered candidates. It is hoped that this is a sign that these village elections and the rural hierarchy that holds power in the New Territories are finally opening up to a more participatory form of governance and that residents are becoming more aware of their rights, and the need for accountability from their leaders.

But it is difficult to say that these elections mark the transformation of governance in villages that the public would like to see. Over half the seats have already been automatically filled, while another 125 of the 1,484 seats will remain vacant. Moreover, there are fewer female candidates this year. The village hierarchy in the New Territories has long been resistant to change, whether it is for granting more village rights to women or voting rights to non-indigenous villagers. Any criticism of the status quo is met with the accusation that 'outsiders' want to undermine their 'indigenous way of life', even though it has never been clear which part of that life would be affected. This way of life is protected by the Basic Law, and the constitutionality of any measures that might affect this way of life can be challenged. Hong Kong's modern principles of governance have been protecting them, not threatening them.

And it is natural that we should all become more interested in these elections. Rural chiefs still hold considerable influence over areas of interest to the rest of the public. Negotiations between the government and villagers for development projects are conducted through the village chiefs. The resolution of issues such as illegal dumping and private columbariums will also depend on their co-operation. Indigenous villagers should understand that when there is pressure for change, it is not because 'outsiders' are trying to threaten their well-being, but because the public no longer distinguishes between different classes of Hong Kong people, and would like to see things done in the best interest of Hong Kong as a whole.