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

A series of activities are being launched in the countdown to the Legislative Council elections to remind voters to fulfil their civic duty and cast their vote on polling day, September 10.

The series comprises television and radio programmes and segments, countdown TV Announcements in Public Interest (API), float parade and the issue of a souvenir cover by Hong Kong Post.

A total of 16 celebrities and government officials will be featured in the countdown API series which will commence on September 3 and broadcast on all local TV channels. All 16 celebrities and officials will appear on TV on September 10 to appeal to voters to cast their vote.

The Home Affairs Department will hold an event in Hung Hom in the afternoon of September 9 to remind all registered voters to exercise their civic right by casting their vote at designated polling stations the following day, that is, September 10.

In addition, District Offices will continue to stage roving exhibitions, mock voting, float parade and carnivals; and distribute souvenirs including mobile phone hanging strings, memo pads, file clips and other stationery to drive home the election message.

Hong Kong Post on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission will issue a souvenir cover to commemorate the Legislative Council elections. There will also be a special postmark and handback service.

The Registration and Electoral Office has recorded the platforms of 155 candidates on a 24-hour hotline - 2815 3313, which came into service on August 14 to enable electors to know more about the candidates.

The Electoral Information Centre has been thronged with visitors from schools, youth centres, elderly centres and various groups in recent months. More than 3,000 people have visited the Centre, which presents the electoral system and arrangements in a lively manner.

Radio Television Hong Kong will launch an "Elections Live" programme on polling day, providing live coverage of the latest election situation to encourage electors to seize the opportunity and actively vote in the elections.

With the application of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance to the coming Legislative Council Elections, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has launched a series of educational and publicity activities to enhance understanding of the new legislation and promote clean elections.

A 13-episode programme is being screened on TVB-Jade at 11.35 pm on Fridays until September 8. In addition, the ICAC is also widely publicising the clean elections message through various channels including the media, a "Support Clean Elections" information package for candidates, a pamphlet for electors, the ICAC homepage and cartoon exhibition, etc.

The publicity campaign on the Legislative Council elections was launched in May through media publicity and community involvement activities at central and regional levels. Main activities include programmes and publicity on TV, radio, newspapers and the Internet; exhibitions; buntings and banners; taxi body advertising and a series of promotional publications and posters. Total expenditure amounted to nearly $50 million.

End/Sunday, August 27, 2000

NNNN