before the elections were held, media had speculated the effect of the controversy over the legislation of the hong kong basic law article 23 to the pro-beijing camp. with the surge of popularity after the 2003 july 1 protests, the pro-democrats managed to present a united platform in the district council election. more than two hundred candidates form all pro-democracy parties and groups supported the direct election of the chief executive by 2007; direct elections of all seats of the legislative council by 2008; the initiation of public consultations on political reforms by the government before the end of 2003; and the abolition of all appointed seats to the district councils after the november 2003 elections.