The Community filled in three candidates in the Kwun Tong District Council, in which Chan ran in the Hong Lok against the pro-Beijing incumbent Ma Yat-chiu. He received 1,525 votes, narrowly defeated by 99 votes, while another member Wong Chin-ken ousted the incumbent Fung Kam-yuen in Lok Wah North.[2]
In the 2016 Legislative Council election, Kowloon East Community formed the localist electoral alliance "ALLinHK" with Youngspiration, Tin Shui Wai New Force, Cheung Sha Wan Community Establishment Power, Tsz Wan Shan Constructive Power and Tuen Mun Community with the slogan "Hong Kong nation's self-determination" where Chan led a one-man ticket in Kowloon East constituency. Despite he and other candidates were required to sign the extra confirmation form to declare their understanding of Hong Kong being an inalienable part of China as stipulated in the Basic Law of Hong Kong. Although refusing to sign the form, Chan's candidacy was confirmed by the Electoral Affairs Commission while some others were disqualified from running.[3]
After several warnings against the pro-independence candidates that they might still be disqualified, Chan spoke for the Hong Kong independence in several electoral forums: "I support Hong Kong independence ... it’s the only way out." He also demanded the Basic Law to be scrapped.[4] He eventually received 12,854 votes and was not elected.
In the 2016 Election Committee Subsector elections, Chan joined the pro-democracy IT Vision to run in the Information Technology subsector against incumbent Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying from running for second term. He was elected with 4,238 votes.[5] In the 2017 Chief Executive election, Chan nominated retired judge Woo Kwok-hing.
