DAB Chairman Tam Yiu-chung (center left) and founding chairman Jasper Tsang Yok-sing (center right) join party colleagues for a group photo on Thursday after naming a full slate of candidates for November's District Council elections. Provided to China Daily

Tam says no effort to be spared in bid to improve on its 117 DC seats

Tam Yiu-chung, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), told China Daily on Thursday that the party will need to work hard if it is to improve on its current total of 117 seats in this November's District Council (DC) elections.

"It will be a difficult campaign", Yam noted.

"With the emergence of many new political parties/organizations in both the pro-establishment and 'pan-democratic' camps, many people will contest these elections," he said.

"This year's DC election comes with additional incentives," Tam observed.

"Among those elected to DC seats, 117 will sit on the Election Committee that will choose the new Chief Executive next year. Another important change is that five district councilors will become 'super' district councilors, who will occupy five seats in the Legislative Council (LegCo)."

The party said it will try as far as possible to coordinate with its pro-government allies in an effort to avoid head-on clashes.

"But that's not always possible and there may be clashes in a few constituencies since we cannot prevent others from taking part. We only hope for healthy competition and let the voters decide," he commented.

The names of those who will compete for the five new LegCo seats will not be considered until after the election, Tam said, noting that only elected DC members will be eligible.

As in past campaigns, the DAB will focus on livelihood issues and concerns at the district level in this year's election.

However, Tam added, the DAB is prepared to respond to political issues such as the revised rules for replacing LegCo members who resign their seats in mid-term.

No political party can avoid political issues, he said, but livelihood issues are more appropriate for district elections.

"From my contacts with residents, they are more concerned with the right of abode of foreign domestic helpers, expensive transport fares, violence in society and the fact that the HK$6,000 (government handout) is being given to people who have settled overseas," he said.

Among the party's 181 candidates, there are three serving lawmakers, 114 seeking re-election and 50 first-time candidates. Four years ago, 117 candidates ran under the DAB banner.

The DAB said Thursday that half of this year's candidates have post-secondary education. Their average age is 45, while the youngest is only 23.

Between the nomination period and polling day, the candidates will be presented to the media under certain categories, Tam revealed. A large-scale rally featuring all candidates will be also held in mid-October.

This year's ticket includes several prominent, familiar names: Starry Lee Wai-king, party vice-chairwoman and an incumbent lawmaker, and Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan, another party vice-chairman.

joseph@chinadailyhk.com

China Daily

(HK Edition 09/16/2011 page1)