Party chief fears too many tickets will work against pan-democrats

The pan-democrats might miss their goal of winning four seats in the Hong Kong Island constituency if they field more than two lists of candidates in September's legislative election, Civic Party leader Audrey Eu Yuet-mee said yesterday.

Speaking a day after Democratic Party vice-chairman Sin Chung-kai announced his intention to drop out of the Legislative Council election, Ms Eu said it would be difficult to ensure votes were distributed effectively and not wasted. Mr Sin plans to support party member Kam Nai-wai for a seat on the island, where the pan-democrats currently hold two seats.

Ms Eu is expected to run with rising Civic Party star Tanya Chan Shuk-chong on a separate list.

'It is logical to have only two lists if we want to win four seats,' Ms Eu said. 'If we end up having three lists, then we would be lucky if we can win three seats.'

Her concerns echo fears already raised by some observers that if former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang runs as an independent while the Democratic Party fields Mr Kam on a separate list, Mrs Chan's voter appeal could draw support away from Mr Kam.

The democratic camp is expecting strong competition from Tsang Yok-sing, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, and former security chief Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee.