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

    The Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) will hold an open forum on Monday (April 25) for members of the public to give their views on its proposed guidelines for Chief Executive elections.

    The commission has extended an invitation to all interested parties to take part and make their views known.

    The forum will start at 10am at the commission's conference room at 10/F Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai.

    The EAC released the proposed guidelines on April 15 for a two-week public consultation.

    Written representations can be sent to the EAC Secretariat at 10/F Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Submissions by fax (2511 1682) or email (eacenq@reo.gov.hk) will also be accepted.

    An EAC spokesman pointed out that late representations received after the deadline of April 28 would not be considered.

    "The EAC can only consider representations received during the consultation period and revise the guidelines as appropriate," the spokesman said.

    The finalised guidelines will be published late next month.

    Copies of the proposed guidelines are available from the Registration and Electoral Office and the Public Enquiry Service Centres of all District Offices of the Home Affairs Department. They can also be downloaded from the commission's website at www.gov.hk/eac.

Ends/Saturday, April 23, 2005

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