A former transport and housing secretary, Frank Chan Fan, and the chairwoman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, Starry Lee Wai-king, were among hopefuls submitting applications yesterday to become Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress.

The applications close today and the 1,423 members of the city's electoral college will vote to elect 36 NPC deputies on December 15.

Chan said he applied with more than 200 nominations, with Lee saying she planned to switch lanes to run for NPC deputy instead of seeking another term as a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Lee said she will supplement her application with nominations in addition to the 400 she received from five constituencies and chairmen of political parties, including Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee of the New People's Party and Lo Wai-kwok of the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong.

Asked about the ongoing demonstrations in the mainland against Beijing's anti-Covid regulations, Lee said the curbs are meant to protect citizens. "If there are any inadequacies in the handling of restrictions, the central authorities will deal with these matters strictly."

Joining the race with 200 nominations, Roy Chu Lap-wai, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Island Federation, said he was endorsed by Hong Kong's sole delegate to the NPC Standing Committee Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions president Stanley Ng Chau-pei and Liberal Party chairman Tommy Cheung Yu-yan as well as Lee and Yip.

"I noticed that lots of elites from different constituencies are joining the race. It's all friendly competition," Chu said.

Lawyer Nicholas Chan Hiu-fung and the Securities and Futures Commission chairman, Tim Lui Tim-leung, also submitted their applications for another term as deputies to Beijing's top lawmaking body.

Submitting his application with 212 endorsements, 68-year-old Lui said he hoped to contribute to Hong Kong and the nation as an NPC deputy with his financial know-how.

Other applications came from the chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, Wong Kam-leung, Trade Development Council chairman Peter Lam Kin-ngok, Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman and watchmaker William Shum Wai-lam.

Starry Lee and Wong Kam-leung join the race for 36 spots.

Top names apply for NPC places as HK deputies