22 lawmakers stepping down as final LegCo session concludes

In the last meeting of the current Legislative Council term, one more lawmaker is stepping down.

That means a total of 22 legislators now won't seek re-elections.

Ahead of the final meeting session of the LegCo term, six lawmakers from the New People's Party took a group photo in the chamber.

Chairwoman Regina Ip wrote on her social media page saying this is perhaps the last group picture of her party in this term with party members later exchanging signed keepsakes.

More than 20 lawmakers have announced that they won't seek re-elections in the upcoming LegCo poll.

Among the latest to bid farewell is Election Committee constituency lawmaker Doreen Kong. She stresses there's no external pressure at all.

Urging the public not to speculate, she says she will continue to serve society with her legal expertise and policy research.

The nomination period for the upcoming LegCo elections will kick off on Friday with multiple political parties yet to unveil their list of candidates.

New People's Party's Regina Ip says they will reveal the list in a few days.

The Federation of Trade Unions, holding seven seats, is expected to announce their election strategies on Thursday.

Liberal Party is poised to hold a committee meeting on Thursday to deliberate which candidates to field.

Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong says it will make the announcement as soon as possible.

Another outgoing lawmaker is social welfare sector's Tik Chi-yuen, who says he had hoped to use the council to push for political reform, but these plans can no longer be carried out.

Looking back, LegCo President Andrew Leung says this term of the council has passed 130 bills -- over 60 percent more than the tally in the previous term.

Leung says LegCo and the administration have had constructive interaction -- overcoming years of internal deadlock.

Lawmakers of this term, he says, have been diligent and efficient in reviewing legislation to "get things done" without "putting on a show."

The legislature is expected to conclude remaining procedures on Thursday, which will formally end the current Legislative Council term.