At least nine of the 10 geographic constituencies in the Legislative Council election next month have candidates who are not pro-establishment.
Seven nomination forms were submitted yesterday for the Legco election to be held on December 19, with the nomination period closing tonight.
Former lawmaker Wong Sing-chi, a self-declared pro-democrat, submitted nominations to join the race for New Territories North East yesterday.
Wong, who cofounded centrist party Third Side but eventually withdrew from it, said he defines himself as a pro-democrat with a clear manifesto to fight for democracy and universal suffrage.
His manifesto also suggested offering amnesty to those who are imprisoned due to the anti-fugitive bill movement and the national security law.
Outspoken All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese vice chairman Lo Man-tuen helped him secure sufficient nominations. While noting that the Liaison Office had approached him twice to find aout about his intention to run, Wong said he did not make the decision because of the office's invitation or approval.
He added that he had never contacted the Liaison Office after deciding to run.
Casper Wong Chun-long, from Third Side, also submitted his nominations yesterday to compete in the New Territories North West constituency.
As the constituency covers Tuen Mun and Yuen Long South - both situated in the Northern Metropolis, Wong said he will closely monitor the region's development strategy if he is elected.
He also said not only is the election in the New Territories Northwest a battle between the pro-establishment and the non-pro-establishment camps, but it is also a battle for land justice and the rights of citizens.
The Kowloon East constituency saw one more candidate running - property management administrative consultant Wu Kin-wa.
When asked about his name, number of nominations, reasons behind running in the election, and political background, a man who accompanied Wu replied: "We have a meeting. Sorry, [we will] answer [your questions] next time."
But Edward Yum Liang-hsien, who stood in the Legislative Council by-election for Hong Kong Island in 2018, said he will not run in December's election.
"With many candidates running in the Hong Kong Island East geographical constituency, this provides sufficient and excellent options to voters. I officially decided that I will not take part in this Legco election," his statement read.
He also expressed gratitude to the election committee members who have nominated him and all of his supporters.
Meanwhile, the heat is turned up for the medical and health services functional constituency, as it saw two more candidates submit their nominations to run.
This takes the tally to six candidates fighting for one seat, making it the most competitive among all functional constituencies. The two candidates submitting their nominations yesterday were Chan Chi-chung from the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing and registered psychiatric nurse Lau Tsz-chun.
