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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, made the following statement today (Friday) in respect of the first Legislative Council Election Committee subsector elections:

"I am very pleased that an Election Committee (EC) representing a wide range of community interests has been smoothly elected. Its 800 members will have the important task of electing 10 Legislative Council members in the coming election on May 24.

"More than 32,600 voters from different community sectors voted yesterday. Most of the subsectors have a turnout rate of over 35 per cent, and in particular six of them have actually achieved a turnout rate exceeding 80 per cent. This result is encouraging.

"More importantly, the elections were conducted in an open and fair manner. I would like to express my compliment to the Electoral Affairs Commission headed by Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing and all the electoral staff for their serious and impartial working attitude throughout the electoral process.

"The elections yesterday signify the beginning of a new phase in preparing for the election of the First SAR Legislative Council. We will step up our publicity efforts to increase public awareness about the LegCo election on May 24. We expect to see a lively election atmosphere throughout the territory in the coming weeks. I would also like to appeal to all the 2.8 million registered electors to cast their votes on May 24."

End/Friday, April 3, 1998

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