Never before has a Legislative Council race been more hotly contested - or more crucial.
The record number of candidates who filed their nominations by yesterday's deadline will be vying for a seat on a body that until very recently was widely dismissed as a mere talking shop, or even worse, a rubber stamp for the executive-led government.
But as Hong Kong becomes more politically aware, Legco is also growing in prominence as a forum for debating and deciding the most important questions facing the city.
And while the 60 members of Legco have relatively little leeway to propose new policy, their power to approve budgets, scrutinise town planning decisions and debate the pace of progress towards universal suffrage makes them an ever-more important part of the political system.
It is thus encouraging to see that interest in the polls is higher than it has ever been. New faces standing in both the geographical and functional constituencies can only mean more choice for voters - and hopefully increasing maturity in terms of political debate. As the campaign season swings into full gear over the coming month, we can expect the roadshows by candidates to become a weekend fixture and we can also expect intense behind-the-scenes lobbying. Ideally, voters will turn their attention to selecting lawmakers who are able to wrestle with the complex policy questions that the new Legco will have to consider over the next four years.
How will voters be able to determine whether the candidates seeking their support will be up to the task or even where they stand on a range of issues, from economics to political development? For one thing, electioneering will have to move beyond strategy and into the specifics of policy. Groups like the Hong Kong Development Network can help by arranging debates and forums where candidates can give details about their platforms. Resources like the website built by Lingnan University political scientists to give the public access to legislators' voting records should also be highlighted. Many voters may in the end decide with their instincts, but those who wish to do otherwise should be given the chance to make an informed choice. This means they need more knowledge about how the candidates will govern once they are in office.
