Two candidates vying to become the next president of Hong Kong’s legislature are locked in a tight race as major political parties have given their members a free vote.

The newly sworn-in members of the Legislative Council (Legco) will on Thursday elect either Starry Lee Wai-king of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) or finance sector representative Ronick Chan Chun-ying through a secret ballot.

Before voting begins, both candidates will present their election platforms and answer questions from fellow lawmakers at a special forum. The ballot will take place immediately afterwards.

Although neither Lee nor Chan has publicly campaigned – neither has posted any material related to the contest on social media – insiders told the Post the outcome was expected to be close.

Lee, 51, chaired Legco’s house committee during the previous four-year term and also serves as Hong Kong’s sole delegate to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body.

Chan, 64, has no party affiliation but works closely with the G19 bloc, a group formed by election committee and functional constituency legislators. He chaired Legco’s finance committee in the last term.