Legco elections backgrounder: New Territories East constituency

The geographical constituency of New Territories East (Legco preview: New Territories East, August 20) covers the districts of Sha Tin, Tai Po, North District and Sai Kung.  It is the most fiercely constested constituency out of the five, with 74 candidates from 20 lists battling it out for the nine seats up for grabs this year. An electorate base of of 874,678 also makes it second largest in terms of voters. 

The Democratic Party has put forward three slates, led by Emily Lau Wai-hing, Richard Tsoi Yiu-cheong and Wong Sing-chi. Other players from the pan-democrat camp include Civic Party’s Ronny Tong Ka-wah, Labour Party's Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung and Neo Democrat Gary Fan Kwok-wai.  League of Social Democrats chair Leung Kwok-hung will also be on the card, looking to capture an important stronghold for “grassroots” support.  Leading the radical the People Power coalition will be radio-DJ and HKreporter.com CEO Ray Chan and ex-TVB artiste Erica Yuen.

From the Pro-Beijing side, DAB party members will field two candidate lists led by Elizabeth Quat and Chan Hak-kan respectively.  Heading the Liberal Party ticket will be James Tien Pei-chun and Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee.