Despite a big drop this time in the number of candidates for the National People's Congress, ballot organisers fear some of those who have Beijing's blessing will be squeezed out when the 1,231 electors vote on Friday.
A source close to the election panel's presidium said there was concern that, because voters may not be familiar with some candidates' names, they could cast ballots for people they had not intended to vote for. Many new faces are contesting the poll this year.
The source said the elimination of pre-qualification for the ballot this year may have made the outcome less predictable than in the past.
Electors must pick exactly 36 delegates. If anyone ticks too few or too many names on the ballot paper, it will be invalid.
Sources have said Beijing has recommended 40 of the 50 candidates to its supporters, but first-time candidates are playing down the significance of this.
'As an election panel member myself, I have not heard of a list and have not been asked to support anyone,' said first-time candidate Chan Choi-hi, of the New Century Forum, a Beijing-friendly middle-class group.
