The SAR Government wants Sunday's elections to be a huge success and hopes for an impressive voter turnout, but judging from the latest predictions by academics and politicians, no one is optimistic.
For many, if the voter turnout rate exceeds 30 per cent, that will be a bonus. If it does not, they will not be surprised.
Officials who have exhausted every possible way to encourage voters must be disappointed by this dim prospect - after all, this is the SAR's first elections. Isn't it true its success is the best proof Hong Kong people are ruling Hong Kong? What more can the Government do to beat the apathy and who should be responsible if the turnout rate is poor? Ordinary folk may say they should not be blamed. They are confused by the system.
Geographical-based direct elections started in Hong Kong in 1991. The second set of direct polls were held four years later. Sunday's elections will be the third.
Each time the voting method has been different - in 1991, it was double-seat, double-vote; in 1995, it was single-seat, single-vote; and this time, it is proportional representation and people have to vote for a list of candidates instead of individual aspirants.
It is not surprising that voters are puzzled.
In their defence, electoral officials can say that it is simple and easy this time - just tick the list of names that you prefer and the job is done. But before that precious tick is given, some voters have to ask: why are they only entitled to one vote when there are three, four or even five seats allocated in their constituency? Why can't they have more than one choice? The Government has little defence here; nor can it convince people familiar with the old, simple system that the new arrangement is necessary.