CONFIDENTIAL
172466
MDLIAN 0452
IN ADDITION, CHAN CHAI-KEUNG, JACKIE (SOUTH KOWLOON) HAS WITHDRAWN HIS NOMINATION.
4. THE NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED IS LOWER THAN THAT IN THE LAST
LEGCO ELECTIONS IN 1985, WHEN 64 CANDIDATES CONTESTED 22 SEATS. MORE CANDIDATES STAND UNOPPOSED (13 COMPARED WITH 6 ON THE LAST OCCASION).
SUBJECT TO MORE DETAILED ASSESMENT BY CNTA, IT APPEARS:
POSITION
(A) MANY SITTING MEMBERS ARE JUDGED TO BE IN A STRONG
REFLECTING IN A WAY THE ELECTORATE'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THEM: AND
-
(B) THERE HAS BEEN, AS IS CUSTOMARY PRACTICE IN MANY SECTORS OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY, EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION BEFORE OPEN CONTEST THIS
PRODUCES CONSENSUS CANDIDATES. CRITICS OF INDIRECT ELECTIONS HAVE
CALLED THIS HORSE-TRADING OR CLOSED DOOR DEALS).
5.
MEDIA COVERAGE HAS BEEN MOSTLY FACTUAL. ONLY A FEW COMMENTARIES
HAVE EMERGED SO FAR, MOSTLY FROM ACADEMICS, EXPRESSING MILD DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE NUMBER OF UNCONTESTED SEATS.
6. THE LINE WE ARE TAKING IN REGARD TO THE NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS IS
THAT IT WAS NATURAL THAT A LARGER NUMBER OF CANDIDATES RAN IN
THE 1985 ELECTIONS, AS THEY WERE THE FIRST EVER LEGCO ELECTIONS
HELD IN HK. THERE IS NO LACK OF INTEREST THIS YEAR JUDGING FROM
PRE-ELECTION ACTIVITIES. IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS IT IS FOR THE
PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHETHER TO STAND OR
THE NUMBER STANDING IS NOT A METTER OF GREAT POLITICAL
SIGNIFICANCE.
NOT.
FORD
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