With the nomination period for the Legislative Council election now open, outgoing president Andrew Leung has emphasised the central government's desire for the city to "take a good path" towards better democracy.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme on Saturday, he expressed hope that voters would elect capable and determined individuals in the December 7 poll.

He stressed that quality representatives are paramount for effective governance.

"Legislators with governance abilities can indeed assist the government ... with skilled management, we can improve processes, making government work more effective," Leung said.

"We need diverse representation, including professionals and those who can manage effectively, to create a strong council."

Leung's comments come amid a continued decline in voter registration numbers.

The authorities launched a registration campaign earlier this year, but the number of registered voters stands at approximately 4.14 million – a drop of more than 70,000 from last year and a total decline of around 330,000 since the last election in 2021.

However, Leung said he is not worried by this trend, attributing the decrease to residents leaving the city and others simply not having the time to register.

"I think the quality of elected representatives is more important than just the number of registered voters."

Leung added the goal is for people who are genuinely concerned about their future to participate.