Fourth time lucky? Hong Kong Democrat undeterred for another district council election bid after narrow losses

For more than a decade, a district council seat has been so near yet so far away for Winfield Chong Wing-fai, but the star-crossed Democratic Party member is ready to give it a go for the fourth time in this month's elections.

Chong had his first taste of electoral heartbreak in 2003 when he lost to veteran pro-establishment councillor Yeung Wai-foon by just seven votes. He was defeated again in 2007 and 2011 by razor-thin margins of 148 votes and 24 votes respectively.

"I am the most qualified person in Hong Kong to make the following statement: 'I will continue to stay in my district even if I lose'," the Democrat said in jest during an interview with the Post.

Chong, who previously ran in the Sai Wan constituency of Central and Western District and is set to appear on the ballot there again this month, generated media attention after the last race for uncovering registration irregularities for at least 202 voters, some of whom were listed as living in blocks that had already been torn down.

This year, he found another 80 problematic voter registrations that were eventually removed from the electoral roll after he complained.

"Many people said I was unlucky," the 41-year-old said. "But I would not attribute my defeat to the vote-rigging scandal. Of course I hope the election was fair and just, but I would prefer to reflect on myself to see how I could improve."