Former chief secretary for administration Anson Chan yesterday declared her candidacy for the Legislative Council (LegCo) by-election scheduled for December 2.

She announced her decision at a press conference at the Hong Kong Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association, saying that she will run as an independent candidate.

Chan told more than 100 local and foreign reporters that she had made the decision after careful consideration.

As to her political platform, she pledged to come up with one in due course.

A government spokesman said that the government's stance has always been to conduct the election according to law and in a fair, open and just manner.

He said the government welcomes anybody who satisfies election requirements and has the enthusiasm to serve the public to participate in the by-election.

The nomination period for the poll will begin in the middle of November.

The seat for the Hong Kong Island constituency fell vacant after the death of Ma Lik, former chairman of Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.

The newly elected legislator will serve out the remainder of Ma's term, which is about seven months.

The election date is yet to be finalized for a new-term LegCo which will start functioning in July next year.

(China Daily September 12, 2007)