More than 240 people signed up for the November District Council elections as the two-week nomination period started on Thursday, vying for 412 elected seats in 18 districts.

Given that there is so much at stake in the elections, the total number of candidates is expected to be very high when the nomination period ends on Sept 28.

Of the major political parties, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) is fielding 181 candidates, followed by the Democratic Party, with 126 candidates.

Clashes between well-known candidates from opposite camps and even contests within the same camps are highly likely owing to the keen competition.

Most political parties sent candidates to register for the election on the first day of the nomination period on Thursday.

A total of 243 nominations have been received, subject to verification by the Registration and Electoral Office.

(HK Edition 09/16/2011 page1)