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

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

    The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing, said after the conclusion of the Chief Executive Election today (June 16) that all electoral arrangements and procedures had complied with the Basic Law, the Chief Executive Election Ordinance and other related statutory provisions.

    "The election result is lawful and valid," he said.

    Speaking at a press conference to wrap up the election, Mr Justice Woo said the commission had fulfilled its duties in accordance with the law.

    Mr Justice Woo reminded all candidates who had publicly declared their intention to stand for the election, whether or not they had submitted a nomination form, to submit a return and declaration of election expenses and donations to the Registration and Electoral Office within 30 days of the election result being published in the gazette.

    The commission will review the electoral arrangements thoroughly with a view to further improvements.

    Since the nominations started on June 3, the commission and the Retuning Officer have received five complaints. Two cases are about media reporting, another two cases about election-related comments made by principal officials and one case about how a candidate sought nominations.

    Mr Woo said all these complaints would be dealt with by the EAC in a fair and impartial manner.

Ends/Thursday, June 16, 2005

NNNN