A total of eight candidates will stand in the by-elections for two District Council constituencies, the Eastern District Council's Fort Street Constituency and the Sham Shui Po District Council's Nam Cheong Central Constituency.

Two nominees withdrewn from the Fort Street contest at the close of the two-week nomination period today, leaving four candidates standing there.

They are:

* independent Chu Hon-wah;

* administrative executive Chris Wong of the Democratic Party;

* lawyer Chin Chi-yung of the Hong Kong Civic Association; and

* secondary school teacher Hung Lin-cham of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong.

Managing director Choi Sai-chuen and registered social worker Tang Chui-chung, an independent democrat, withdrew from the race.

The Nam Cheong Central contest has four candidates, also.

They are:

* public transport worker Cheung Chi-keung of the Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood;

* barrister Raymond Cheung of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong;

* political organisation executive Foo Wai-lok of The Frontier; and

* social worker Ngai Sing-leuk.

Candidates' briefing session set for Saturday

A briefing session for candidates and their agents will be held at Sheung Wan Civic Centre on Saturday when the Electoral Affairs Commission Chairman Justice Woo Kwok-hing will introduce the guidelines on election-related activities.

A representative from the Independent Commission Against Corruption will explain the Elections (Corrupt & Illegal Conduct) Ordinance. Officials of the Registration & Electoral Office, Post Office and Department of Justice will also be present.

After the briefing session, the Returning Officers will draw lots to determine the order of the candidates' names to be printed on ballot papers.

Polls will be conducted in both constituencies on Sunday, March 6. The successful candidates in the two by-elections will fill one vacant seat in the Eastern District Council and another vacant seat in the Sham Shui Po District Council.