They can then tick off one to seven names among eight candidates, but government officials will not show up for voting as part of an effort to remain low profile, they said.

The one getting the least votes will be eliminated in the rarely contested race, with four seeking re-election and the other four, including dark horse Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, vying for three seats to replace retiring stewards.

The nominations period closed last Thursday and members received their ballots yesterday. They are being asked to choose one to seven candidates, with their votes deemed invalid if no one or all are ticked off.

A similar voting system is adopted by the councils of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Law Society, the regulating body for solicitors.

Members must attend the election in person, or sign a proxy form for another member to vote on their behalf.

In past elections, around 180 of the 200, or 90 percent, members have turned out, but an insider said this year might see quite a departure from that mark as a higher proportion of members are not expected to show up.

Some of them, including government officials, would like to remain low profile and avoid controversies. They are expected to vote via proxies.

Four senior officials - Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau and Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung - are on the list of voting members as of August 2.

The insider also said some members have left for long-awaited trips since the Covid-19 hotel quarantine measure for new arrivals was trimmed to three days followed by four days of medical surveillance this month, casting new uncertainty over the turnout.