Pan-democrat lawmakers Kenneth Chan Ka-lok and James To Kun-sun submitted their nomination forms to run for district council seats on Wednesday. If they win, they could run for the district council (second) functional constituency – commonly known as “super district councillor” seat – in the 2016 LegCo election.
Chan, a Civic Party lawmaker, will be standing in his first ever district council election. He is set to run in the South Horizons East constituency against the incumbent independent Lam Kai-fai, who has been the area’s councillor for 16 years.
“Many residents wished for change. The Civic Party and I decided to run in order to challenge this underground pro-Beijing district councillor [who has been here] for 16 years,” Chan said before submitting his nomination. “We need to bring the pro-democracy camp to the Southern district to counter the pro-Beijing camp.”
In 2012, Chan became a lawmaker through the Hong Kong Island geographical constituency. If he wins in the district council election, he could either choose to run for LegCo in a geographical constituency again, or run for a super district councillor seat.
Meanwhile, Democratic Party lawmaker James To, a current super district councillor, announced that he will seek another term in the Olympic constituency in Tai Kok Tsui.
He will be running against independent candidate Ko Hiu-wing, who is also a Chongqing city CPPCC member.
“In terms of my work in the District Council, I believe I have got full marks and I am supported by the public,” To told Apple Daily, “no matter in the district or in LegCo, I believe people know I have helped them.”
He said he knew Ko had a lot of resources and backing from the pro-Beijing camp, but he hoped voters could choose candidates based on their past performances.
As the number of voters in the district has increased by 30 percent since the last election, it may add variables to his run, To added.
Other current ‘super district councillors’ are Albert Ho Chun-yan, Frederick Fung Kin-kee, Starry Lee Wai-king and Chan Yuen-han.
Chan Yuen-han has decided she will not seek re-election in district council.
The district council elections will be held on November 22.
