*********************************************

The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr David Lan, today (Sunday) appealed to the electorate to give their full support to the coming Legislative Council Election by casting their ballots on May 24.

Officiating at the opening ceremony of a variety show to promote the 1998 Legislative Council Election for the Kowloon East geographical constituency, Mr Lan said only the electorate's active support could make the election a success.

"Everyone knows the significance of the first Legislative Council Election in the Hong Kong Special Administration Region, as it represents a major step towards realising the principle of 'Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong' spelt out in the Basic Law.

"The Administration is attaching the utmost importance to the Election and expending huge efforts in increasing public awareness of the urgency to help elect a credible and representative legislature.

"It is very simple and requires only the minimum of efforts to cast a ballot. But it belies the importance of this apparently easy job," Mr Lan said.

He also demonstrated the proper procedure to follow in casting a ballot. He was accompanied by Wong Tai Sin District Officer, Miss Diane Wong, and Kwun Tong District Officer, Mr Tsang Hing-kay. He had earlier reviewed a march-past of performers and distributed election souvenirs to remind eligible voters to cast their ballots.

Jointly organised by Wong Tai Sin District Office and Kwun Tong District Office, the event kicked off an intensive publicity programme initiated by the Home Affairs Department to explain to the public the details of the electoral and balloting arrangements.

It is also aimed at arousing the public's interests to participate in the election publicity activities organised for the Kowloon East constituency, including roving exhibitions, mock voting, election forum and quiz competition.

Highlights of today's variety show included performances by the Chiu Chow drum/dance troupe, children's choirs, various dance groups, an orchestra and a marching band.

After the variety show, some of the teams proceeded to Kwun Tong District to perform at the Tak Tin Shopping Centre in Lam Tin and the Telford Plaza in Kowloon Bay.

End/Sunday, April 26, 1998

NNNN