A candidate's track record is what the public will consider when they vote in Sunday's district council elections, according to a political commentator.

A total of 171 candidates are vying for 88 geographical-constituency seats in the polls.

James Sung, the founding director of the Progress and Perfection Research Institute, said voters tend to pick candidates who they are familiar with.

"Veteran district councillors would have some kind of attraction, because they are already carrying out many community services to the general public – environmental sanitation, transportation, or caring [for] the elderly. So they have a track record," Sung said.

Ahead of the polls, RTHK asked people on the street what they look for in a candidate.

Iris, a resident of Tuen Mun, said councillors should address people's daily needs.

"[Councillors should help] with the housing problem, and just in general, people who are below the poverty line, who may need more help with welfare," she said.

Kelvin, who lives in Sai Kung, said he cares about transport in his district and thinks younger councillors could better tackle the issue.

"They may know what I need," he said. "For example, in terms of transport... adding more routes to different districts."

Sung added that the new revamped councils, to be led by district officers, are pivotal to the administration's policymaking.

"I think the government still wants to have full support from the district council from time to time.

"Local people have lots of ideas and if the government wants support from the local level, district councils still have a very critical role to play to show support to the government according to public opinion."