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A mock polling station will be open to the public before electors go to the polls on Sunday (September 12).

Located at Leighton Hill Community Hall, 133 Wong Nai Chung Road, Hong Kong, the simulated polling station for the 2004 Legislative Council election will be open daily from 9am to 5pm on September 10 and 11.

This kind of arrangement was first introduced in the 1998 Legislative Council election to allow members of the public to get to know the layout of a polling station and its facilities before they cast their votes.

A spokesman for the Registration and Electoral Office said visits to the mock polling station would give electors more confidence that "the ballot is secret".

"No one is allowed to enter a polling station during polling hours, except for electors, candidates and election and polling agents who are observing the conduct of the polls, and working staff who are on duty," he said.

"The mock polling station will also help electors understand the entire polling process, which is open and fair," he added.

Staff of the Registration and Electoral Office will show visitors how to vote at this mock polling station.

A total of 501 polling stations will be open from 7.30am to 10.30pm on Sunday, September 12 for more than 3.2 million registered electors to vote.

Candidates in 11 functional constituencies have been elected unopposed while 60 candidates are running for 19 seats in the remaining 17 functional constituencies.

A total 35 lists of 88 candidates will compete for the 30 seats in the five geographical constituencies.

More information about the election, including the platforms and personal particulars of the candidates, is available on the election website, www.elections.gov.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, September 8, 2004

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