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The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:

The Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) has pledged its full support to the Independent Committee of Experts set up by the Chief Executive to review the management, planning and conduct of elections.

The EAC Chairman, Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing, said today (December 15) that the experience gained in the 2004 Legislative Council election in September would be a valuable asset for improving future elections.

"Lessons are learnt, though at a high price. But the commission will make every effort to avoid similar errors in the future," he said.

Mr Justice Woo said the commission had submitted the final report on the 2004 Legislative Council Election to the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa.

"This report gives a comprehensive picture of how the commission conducted and supervised the election at its various stages, identifies major shortcomings and problems and puts forth recommendations for improvements in areas where deficiencies and drawbacks have been identified," he said.

"It also provides updates on the findings of the uncompleted cases and outstanding issues carried in the interim report," he said.

The EAC submitted an interim report on the election to the Chief Executive in November to address public concern about the inadequacies and problems on the polling day on September 12.

The commission is required by the Electoral Affairs Commission Ordinance to make a report to the Chief Executive within three months of the conclusion of the 2004 Legislative Council Election.

More than 1.78 million people cast their votes in the election, representing a record turnout rate of 55.64%.

Ends/Wednesday, December 15, 2004

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