Plenty for Legco by-election hopefuls to chew over in New Territories East despite familiar look to race
In the last of a three-part series on the coming by-election, analysts tell the Post that past showings in a constituency seen as a pan-democrat stronghold might not be an indication of things this time
For the nearly one million electors in the New Territories East constituency, the March 11 Legislative Council by-election gives a definite sense of déjà vu, with similar points of tension, a similar pro-Beijing and opposition stand-off, and largely the same contestants as those who campaigned for seats there in the Legco election two years ago.
While the constituency is regarded as a stronghold of the opposition pan-democrats, some observers warn that past showings might not be any indication this time.
Legco by-election rivals on Hong Kong Island urge ‘safeguarding the rule of law’ … but whose way will win votes?
The social atmosphere has been more harmonious recently, which is less helpful to the opposition, and the pan-democrats might also lose support from moderate voters fed up with the camp’s antics in Legco, according to political analysts interviewed by the South China Morning Post.
Of the six candidates, five are taking another shot at Legco victory. They are centrist Nelson Wong Sing-chi, moderate conservative Christine Fong Kwok-shan, pro-Beijing unionist Bill Tang Ka-piu, localist Gary Fan Kwok-wai and self-styled politician Estella Chan Yuk-ngor.
New to the race is pro-family activist Joyce Chiu Pui-yuk.