After all, the forthcoming ballot is widely seen as a litmus test of good governance under the 'one country, two systems' principle under which Macau has been granted a high degree of political autonomy.

The Government's five-member Electoral Commission, headed by respected 33-year-old judge Fong Man-chong, has set up a 24-hour hotline for public complaints and suggestions. The Office of the Commissioner Against Corruption has launched a public-awareness campaign and issued a series of warnings against possible attempts at electoral fraud and vote-catching claptrap.

The authorities have every reason to be vigilant, because old habits die hard and these elections promise to be the most hotly contested in Macau's history.

The number of registered voters has reached a record 160,204 - about one third of the population. A massive 58 per cent of the electorate was born in mainland China. The number of candidature lists, which was 10 in 1996, is expected to be about 15 this time, and voter turnout is forecast to break the previous record of 64 per cent.

Most candidature lists, which function as Macau's substitute for political parties, are usually formed just a few months before elections by established community associations or coalitions of several associations, including political heavyweights such as the staunchly pro-Beijing labour and neighbourhood unions and an assortment of other - often fringe - groupings.

This year's list seems to offer the widest range of political and social interests, including pro-business conservatives, independent labour activists, social workers, gaming-industry representatives, liberals, civil servants, local Portuguese, members of the middle class, and human-rights advocates.

Two former legislators and moderate liberals, accountant Leong Kam-chun and public-health worker Wong Cheong-nam, have joined rival lists in an attempt to make a political comeback after spending a decade in the political wilderness. Several local Portuguese - namely, members of the 'Macau Forever' association and the Holy House of Mercy charity organisation - have also announced their intention to run for election.

The polls involve the direct election by universal suffrage of 10 lawmakers. Another 10 legislators will be indirectly elected by the representatives of 625 registered business, labour and community associations. Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah will appoint the seven remaining legislators after the elections.

Macau's proportional representation system, which favours political plurality, makes it virtually impossible for any single candidature list to win more than two directly elected seats. Some of the lists have in the past chosen rather hilarious campaign names, such as the Macau Happiness Promotion Association, which in spite of its jolly title, failed to win a single seat last time.

Harald Bruning is the Post's Macau correspondent