Hong Kong district council election: main opposition party fields fewer-than-expected number of candidates, 6, for race
- Six Democratic Party election candidates to stand, instead of previously reported eight, in stark contrast with more than 100 from pro-Beijing rival
- Under electoral system overhaul, proportion of directly elected seats in district council race slashed from nearly 95 per cent to just 19 per cent
Hong Kong’s main surviving opposition party has endorsed a fewer-than-expected number of candidates to run in the city’s revamped district council election, a stark contrast to the more than 100 hopefuls lined up by its pro-Beijing rival.
Democratic Party chairman Lo Kin-hei revealed on Sunday his party would put up six candidates to run for directly elected seats, instead of eight as earlier reported.
“Each person has different concerns and circumstances. We respect the thoughts of each of our members, should some of them decide not to run after receiving a nomination,” Lo said.
Proposed candidates from the Democratic Party included Lo, vice-chairwoman Bonnie Ng Hoi-yan, sitting district councillor for Yau Tsim Mong district Leo Chu Tsz-lok, and former district councillors Nelson Ip Tsz-kit, Li Shee-lin, and Poon Ping-hong.
The opposition party chairman said he had obtained the full names and addresses of area committee members from the Electoral Affairs Commission, allowing the party to reach such individuals by mail for nominations.
Lo said he would mail documents containing the party’s ideals, suggestions for the this month’s policy address, manifestos for the respective districts and candidates’ personal information for area committee members’ consideration.
“We hope that [area committee members] will make their judgment based on the information we have provided,” Lo said.