********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
The Electoral Affairs Commission today (March 25) released for public consultation the proposed guidelines on election-related activities in respect of the Legislative Council election. The consultation will end on April 23.
Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, Mr Justice Pang Kin-kee, called for written representations from the public, who can also express their views at a public forum on April 10.
The poll for the 2008 Legislative Council election will be held on September 7. The nomination period will run from July 19 to August 1.
Mr Justice Pang said, "The commission has always done its best to refine and improve the electoral arrangements for public elections.
"We have taken into account the operational experience of each election, as well as suggestions and complaints from the public and other parties concerned when drafting the proposed guidelines."
The proposed guidelines have added the special arrangement for counting of votes for geographical constituencies in case the counting stations, such as schools, will no longer be available or suitable for completing the counting of votes.
Also, short message service (SMS) has been included in the guidelines governing electioneering activities.
The proposed guidelines have highlighted some important principles to be observed by the media and organisations conducting exit polls.
Additional measures have been proposed to step up controls on the conduct of exit polls and enhance the transparency of organisations or people conducting exit polls.
Written representations on the proposed guidelines can be sent to the Commission's secretariat at 10/F Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Submissions by fax (2511 1682) or email (eacenq@reo.gov.hk) are also welcome.
"All representations must reach the commission by April 23 and late submissions will not be considered," Mr Justice Pang said.
The proposed guidelines can be obtained from the Registration and Electoral Office (10/F Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai), or District Offices of the Home Affairs Department. They can also be downloaded from www.eac.gov.hk/en/legco/2008lce_proposeguide.htm. For enquiries, please call 2891 1001.
Ends/Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:45
NNNN
