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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, issued the following statement today (December 15) on the Final Report on the 2004 Legislative Council (Legco) Election submitted by the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC):

"On December 11 I received the final report compiled by the EAC on the Legco election held on September 12, 2004.

"The final report describes how the EAC conducted and supervised the 2004 Legco election, gives an updated report on the findings of the uncompleted cases and outstanding issues mentioned in the interim report, and sets out EAC's recommendations for improvement measures for future elections.

"The findings of the final report affirm that the integrity of the election has not been affected.

"I am grateful to the EAC for compiling the report. I have decided to accept the EAC's recommendation to make public the report. The EAC will hold a press conference later today to explain the content of the report.

"On November 10 , I announced that I would set up an Independent Committee of Experts to review the management, planning and conduct of elections, and to make recommendations for improvement measures.

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Daniel Tse Chi Wai as the Chairman of the Committee, and Mr Philip Chen Nan Lok, Mr Daniel Lai and Mr Herbert Tsoi Hak Kong as members of the committee. Dr Tse is a renowned academic. Mr Chen, Mr Lai and Mr Tsoi are experienced members in management and logistics, information technology and legal fields respectively.

"I expect the committee to start work in early January and to take about three months to complete its work and submit a report to me. During the review, the committee will invite views and comments from parties concerned. The committee's report will also be made public."

The terms of reference of the Independent Committee of Experts are:

Having regard to the reports of the EAC and any further information obtained by the committee regarding the arrangements for the 2004 LegCo election, and in the light of the committee's assessment of the management responsibilities for these arrangements-

(a) to review and advise on how:

(i) the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) may better support the EAC in carrying out its statutory functions in the conduct and supervision of elections;

(ii) the REO may better perform its functions in relation to the management, planning and conduct of elections; and

(iii) the communication system and other arrangements for the counting of votes and for the reporting, compilation and announcement of polling and counting figures and other relevant matters can be improved, and

(b) to make such recommendations as it considers necessary for further follow-up action.

Dr Tse is the President Emeritus of Hong Kong Baptist University.

Mr Chen is the Director and Chief Operating Officer of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited.

Mr Lai is the Head of Information Technology of the MTR Corporation and a former president of the Hong Kong Computer Society.

Mr Tsoi is a partner of Herbert Tsoi & Partners and a former President of the Law Society of Hong Kong.

Ends/Wednesday, December 15, 2004

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