Are election candidates shunning civil service groups this year because of the service's negative image?
Yes, says one civil service union leader.
No, says another.
A third group says it has told its members to steer clear of political disputes.
Whatever the answer, the 170,000-strong establishment remains a rich source of votes - with added uncertainty this year of whether it will punish political parties that supported the pay cuts for civil servants.
The president of the Federation of Civil Service Unions, Leung Chau-ting, said parties and candidates used to be keen to secure endorsement from key unions, but none had come forward so far.
'I think the public perception has changed. The image of civil servants is very negative these days. That's why the parties stay away and don't want to lose votes,' Mr Leung said.