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The following is the transcript of remarks made by the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Polling Station today (Sunday):

Q: Mr Woo, can you explain in English why you have received until now 873 complaints? Do you consider it a high figure?

Mr Woo: It's not very high. In 1995 we have over, I think, we have about 1,100 complaints for the elections. But today we have received so far 873 complaints and not a high figure, not an extremely high figure, probably because competition is keen.

Reporter: What are the other reasons for the complaints?

Mr Woo: Because the major complaints relate to electioneering and canvassing activities and most probably they are complaints by candidates against each other.

Reporter: Can you also describe ... Is this 38 % turnout rate... How do you describe it? Is it very high or very low?

Mr Woo: The 38.2 % is the figure as at what? 6.30 pm? 7 o'clock? 6.30 pm. The figure is relatively high as compared with those in 1995 and, I think, also those in 1991. The rate is high and the number is high as well. I don't know the reason but I'm very happy and I think this rate is extremely encouraging.

Reporter: So how can you explain that there are some people who said they have lined up quite some time before they can ...

Mr Woo: It may be because, it may be because of the way when it was raining heavily, no body would attend polling stations. But when the rain subsided a bit, then people attended.

Reporter: What about the criticism that may be there is a manpower shortage ...

Mr Woo: Actually we have allocated sufficient manpower for attending electors, if they were to come at a sort of an average or over average rate. But if it is too much over the average rate, then of course there would be jostling. The polling station may become suddenly crowded with electors when there is no more rain. It's that sort of problem which is just like traffic condition. When it is raining, then traffic condition is bound to be bad. But why? It's because everybody brings an umbrella along and have to take out the ID card. Taking out the ID card would take slightly longer, a few seconds or 10 seconds longer. That would delay the whole proceedings because everybody would need 10 seconds more. It was not ineffective in fact.

Reporter: It had nothing to do with manpower shortage?

Mr Woo: I don't think there is a manpower shortage and nothing to do with efficiency or otherwise. It is just natural because of the rain, I think.

End/Sunday, May 24, 1998

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