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The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
In relation to the third term Chief Executive election, the Electoral Affairs Commission will extend the time for the first round of voting to two hours - from 9am to 11am - in the case of a contested election. These will also be the polling hours if the election is uncontested.
Polling for the election will be held on Sunday, March 25, at the AsiaWorld-Expo, next to the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok.
"If it is a contested election, more than one round of voting may be required if none of the candidates obtains an absolute majority of valid votes. The first round of voting will start at 9am and close at 11am," a spokesman for the commission said today (January 31).
"If it is an uncontested election, there will be one round of voting only on March 25, which will start at 9am and close at 11am," said the spokesman.
The commission decided to extend the time for the first round of voting in the case of a contested election, and the polling hours in the case of an uncontested election, from one to two hours, after it considered carefully that this was the first time the AsiaWorld-Expo would be used as a polling and counting station for an election and Election Committee members might be less familiar with the location.
"While the polling hours will be extended, voters are encouraged to arrive at the polling station early to cast their votes. Any voter who arrives after the close of the poll will not be admitted to the polling station," the spokesman said.
Time for the second and third rounds of voting, which will be conducted only as and when necessary in the case of a contested election, remains unchanged.
To effect the commission's decision, the Chief Electoral Officer will appoint the polling hours accordingly under Section 17 of the Electoral Procedure (Chief Executive Election) Regulation.
The Guidelines on Election-related Activities in respect of the CE Elections will also be updated in this regard.
A polling notice, which carries, among other things, the polling hours, will be sent to members of the Election Committee at least 10 days before the polling date.
Ends/Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:01
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