Veteran Hong Kong politician Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and two other incumbent lawmakers of her New People’s Party said on Saturday they’ll not seek reelection in the upcoming legislative elections to make way for younger aspirants.

This brings to 27 the total number of legislators from 10 political groups or independents – about 29 percent of the 90-seat Legislative Council – who have so far declined to run in the eighth-term LegCo polls to be held on Dec 7.

There has been a wave of retirements since Sept 29 when LegCo President Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, 74, announced he would step down for family and age considerations. As of Saturday, all 12 lawmakers who’re in their 70s, have decided to step back, while two others in their 30s and six in their 40s have decided not to seek reelection.

Ip, 75, who chairs the New People’s Party, said age isn’t a barrier, noting there are no age requirements for LegCo members under the Basic Law.

“After 17 years in the legislature, it’s a good time for me to step aside and focus on other areas that benefit Hong Kong,” she said, adding she has many platforms to work on, including the Executive Council, people-to-people diplomacy, policy research, and promoting the global expansion of Chinese mainland enterprises.

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Ip, along with core New People’s Party members Lai Tung-kwok, 73, and Eunice Yung Hoi-yan, 48, spoke at a press conference outlining the party’s slate of eight geographical constituencies demarcated on Hong Kong Island and in the New Territories.

Nominations for the eighth-term LegCo began on Oct 24. As of Sunday, 69 candidates have filed their nominations, including 26 from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong – the city’s biggest political party.

The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions – the second-largest political group – announced 16 candidates on Oct 23, a day before nominations opened.

It was reported that, for all the legislators who’re not seeking reelection, it’s their own decision. “Nobody asked me to retire because of my age,” said Ip who was the last member of the LegCo who announced to quit the race.

Nominees are in their fighting shape for the tussle. "We expect a fierce race in our constituencies," said the nominees of the NNP, most of whom have doctoral degrees.

“Parties and organizations are being cautious in choosing their candidates,” said Ip, a prominent political figure widely known as the “Big Sister” of the city.

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Some, including the NPP’s eight candidates, are “well-educated with district experience to instill more ideas into the eighth-term legislature”, Ip said. “I believe they’ll perform well with high standards if elected.”

“The elite candidates represent the best of the best, running on strong platforms, track records and abilities,” said Ben Chan Hang-pan, a candidate in the Election Committee constituency.

Chan, who’s seeking reelection, was comparatively low-profile during the seventh-term LegCo.

The eighth-term LegCo -- the second under HKSAR’s revamped electoral system – has three tiers -- 20 geographical seats, 30 functional constituency seats, and 40 Election Committee seats.

Local Chinese-language media expected a highly competitive race across all fronts, given the professional and high-caliber pool of candidates across the three tiers.

Observers anticipate more fierce competition in the geographical constituencies where each of the 10 districts could see four to five candidates vying for two seats.

An insider from the legislature, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the upcoming election is a matter of survival for smaller parties like the NPP.

Contact the writer at jessicachen@chinadailyhk.com