Three candidates were nominated Wednesday for running for chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the election for whom will be held in late March.

From left to right: Albert Ho, Henry Tang, Leung Chun-ying

During the nomination period starting from Feb. 14, the Electoral Affairs Commission received nomination forms from Albert Ho, a lawmaker who is also head of a local political party, Henry Tang, former chief secretary of the SAR government, and Leung Chun-ying, former convenor of the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong.

A nomination form must be subscribed by at least 150 Election Committee members. Each member can nominate only one candidate.

Tang, 59, submitting the nomination form following Ho, received supports from 390 out of the 1,200 election committee members.

Leung, 57, as the third candidate to hand in the nomination paper, received supports from 305 members, while Ho's nomination was endorsed by 188 committee members.

Regina Ip, head of another local political party, announced that she would run for chief executive before failing to secure 150 nominations.

The election will be held on March 25, 2012, to select Hong Kong's next head. Incumbent Chief Executive Donald Tsang is barred from seeking a third term.