Anson Chan, a former high-ranking civil servant known as "Hong Kong's conscience," has emerged victorious in a significant by-election for a seat in the city's legislature. This election, viewed as a test of democracy in the former British colony, was seen as a positive outcome for the pro-democracy political groups in Hong Kong. Chan, who previously served as deputy to the last British governor, Chris Patten, expressed her belief in the importance of universal suffrage by 2012, noting that her campaign experience further reinforced her conviction that genuine democracy is crucial for upholding freedoms and values in society. Despite the return of Hong Kong to Chinese rule in 1997, the territory has not yet seen significant political reform. The city's constitution aims for universal suffrage in political reform but lacks clarity on timing and direction. The British did not promote this idea until the end of colonial rule under Patten. Chan had a larger margin over her main rival, Regina Ip, than expected, despite opinion polls suggesting a closer race. Ma Ngok, an associate professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, believes that the election results show continued support for democracy in Hong Kong, even as the economy improves and becomes more intertwined with China, which Beijing should consider. Since 1997, the democratic camp's usual support rate of approximately 60 percent has declined, prompting experts to suggest that they should reconsider their strategy of focusing on single issues during elections. Chan received 54 percent of the vote, leading James Sung of City University to call for a comprehensive review by the pan-democrats. Sung expressed concern that they may not fully analyze the shifting political landscape due to Anson's clear victory. Despite her loss, Ip's strong performance highlighted the effectiveness of the pro-Beijing camp's election machinery, as seen in the district council elections. It also signaled the comeback of a politician known for attempting to push through a controversial anti-subversion law in 2003 as security chief. This move led to a massive protest with half a million participants, surprising leaders in Beijing. Analysts believe that Ip, who is 57 years old, is in a good position to run in the upcoming full Legislative Council elections. Currently, the chief executive is chosen by an 800-seat committee under the influence of the Communist leadership in Beijing, with half of the legislature being elected by the public and the rest selected by "functional constituencies" representing professions and special-interest groups.