The Beijing-loyalist camp is again contesting the education functional constituency seat in a bid to unseat veteran Democrat Cheung Man-kwong, who has represented the sector in the Legislative Council for the past 17 years. Education Employees General Union chairwoman Eva Yu Yee-wah is running in a Legco election for the first time. Mr Cheung defeated union vice-chairman Yu Kai-chun in the 2004 election. The union, established in 2005 and with about 5,000 members, is affiliated with the Beijing-loyalist Federation of Trade Unions. Asked if she expected a tough battle, Ms Yu said: 'I see frontline teachers' benefits at the top of the list. Political affiliation does not matter. I would not support the government at the expense of frontline teachers' benefits.' She also said that no women candidates had contested the seat in the past decade. 'There are many female teachers in the sector and I can understand their needs better than other candidates,' she said. In 2006, Ms Yu failed to gain an education seat on the Election Committee, formed to elect the chief executive last year. Mr Cheung, president of the Professional Teachers' Union, said he was confident of gaining support from electors. 'Voters in functional constituencies are practical. They will show you support based on your previous work. [Rivals] write their platforms, but I work it out,' he said. In 2004, he beat Mr Yu, who stood as an independent, by 44,517 votes to 9,155, taking about 83 per cent of the ballots cast. Mr Yu was his only opponent. Education Convergence vice-chairman Ho Hon-kuen, standing as an independent candidate this year, said his lack of political affiliations was an advantage. 'Having no ties with any political parties, I feel free to give comments on policies without being concerned about any parties' benefits,' he said. Mr Ho denied suggestions that his group, established in 1994 by local educators, had close ties with the government. Also contesting the Legco seat for the first time, Mr Ho said he was confident of doing better than any of Mr Cheung's previous opponents. 'Mr Cheung is a strong competitor, but I believe that the votes I gain can prove that I will appear as the strongest-ever competitor against the incumbent lawmaker,' he said. The education sector is the largest of the 30 functional constituencies, with a voter population of 90,693 this year, up almost 17 per cent from 2004. Education sector Voters: 90,693 Turnout 2004: 72.02% Candidates Eva Yu Yee-wah (I) Cheung Man-kwong (DP) Ho Hon-kuen (I) DP - Democratic Party I - Independent
