Electoral staff sort the ballot papers at the central counting station of the Legislative Council election at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, as Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai inspects the vote-counting process, Dec 19, 2021. (CALVIN NG/CHINA DAILY)
Legislative Council election candidates expressed their commitment to serve Hong Kong by solving deep-rooted structural social issues and making more voices heard in the Legislative Council through balanced participation.
The election atmosphere was intense on Sunday afternoon as many candidates held rally campaigns to garner support, as some candidates' prospects of being elected were slim.
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee from the New People's Party, who is running in the Hong Kong Island West Geographical Constituency, urged residents to make their voices heard in the Legislative Council.
"I call on residents to cast their votes to choose legislators who will do practical things to help solve deep-rooted structural issues such as land, housing, transportation, medical services, and education," Ip said.
"I think the Legislative Council should have different voices, and I will strive to reflect the views of ethnic minorities and sexual minorities," she added.
The competition is rational and of high quality. There is no more smearing or physical confrontation among the candidates, which were common in previous elections. This proves that the revamped electoral system will ensure Hong Kong's lasting stability.
Brave Chan Yung, Hong Kong deputy to the National People's Congress
Fong Lung-fei, an independent candidate, and Chan Hok-fung, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, are also each trying to win one of the two seats in the Hong Kong Island West Constituency.
In the Hong Kong Island East Geographical Constituency, Ng Chau-pei, of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said there will be healthy and fierce competition under the revamped electoral system.
"I urge grassroots residents to recognize and vote for candidates who can represent them, so that the Legislative Council can fight for their rights through balanced participation," Ng said.
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Edward Leung Hei from the DAB, Liu Tin-shing of the New People's Party, and Poon Chuk-hung are also candidates for the Hong Kong Island East Constituency.
Brave Chan Yung, a Hong Kong deputy to the National People's Congress, said, "The competition is rational and of high quality. There is no more smearing or physical confrontation among the candidates, which were common in previous elections. This proves that the revamped electoral system will ensure Hong Kong's lasting stability."
Candidates celebrate after winning in the the 2021 Legislative Council General Election at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai on Dec 20, 2021. (CALVIN NG/CHINA DAILY)
This election marks the beginning of a change. I have issued a detailed action plan. If implemented, Hong Kong will be moving toward decent housing, decent wages and decent living conditions for all. It is within our power. Hong Kong has the resources to do it.
Mike Rowse, LegCo candidate in the Election Committee Constituency
Chan is competing for a functional constituency seat representing Hong Kong Special Administrative Region deputies to the NPC. The other candidate of the sub-sector is Tse Hiu-hung.
"I hope every registered voter will cast his or her ballot today to safeguard Hong Kong's future and help the SAR take off again by deeply integrating into the nation's development," he added.
Junius Ho Kwan-yiu, a candidate for a LegCo seat under the Election Committee Constituency, agrees with Chan. "The Election Committee Constituency election is civilized, open and high-standard, as candidates just have to present their election manifestos to the Election Committee members for rational discussions."
Mike Rowse, another LegCo candidate in the Election Committee Constituency, said: "This election marks the beginning of a change. I have issued a detailed action plan. If implemented, Hong Kong will be moving toward decent housing, decent wages and decent living conditions for all. It is within our power. Hong Kong has the resources to do it."
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Another candidate, Nixie Lam of the DAB, said the newly added Election Committee Constituency under the revamped electoral system gathers candidates from various sectors, allowing them to provide their expertise into all of LegCo, in addition to regional issues.
There are 51 candidates running for the 40 LegCo seats under the Election Committee Constituency.
Xue Jingqi, George Chan contributed to this story.
