**********************************************************
Poll cards have been sent to more than 3.37 million registered electors, informing them of where to vote in the 2010 Legislative Council by-election on May 16.
The poll will start at 7.30am and end at 10.30pm, except for dedicated polling stations in penal institutions, which will be open from 9am to 4pm.
"Electors should take a look at the poll card to ensure that they go to the correct polling station," a spokesman for the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) said today (May 5).
The REO has mailed to every geographical constituency elector a poll card, a map indicating the location of the designated polling station, a guide on voting procedure, a leaflet introducing the candidates in the respective constituency and a leaflet from the Independent Commission Against Corruption on clean elections.
"If electors have not yet received the information, they can call the election hotline at 2891 1001," the spokesman said.
A total of 516 polling stations across Hong Kong will open on polling day. Among them, 443 polling stations (i.e. about 85%) are accessible to electors with disabilities. In this by-election, the number of polling stations that are accessible to electors with disabilities is more than that in previous elections.
"The REO has all along been making every effort to identify venues which are accessible to electors with disabilities for use as polling stations. For those polling stations that are inaccessible, the REO will install temporary ramps as far as possible so that they can be accessible to electors with disabilities.
"Although some venues are barrier-free and are suitable for use as polling stations, the REO has to obtain the consent of the venue management in order to set up polling stations at these venues," the spokesman said.
The location map enclosed with the poll card specifies clearly whether the polling station is accessible to electors with mobility difficulties. Most of the polling stations are accessible to the disabled. An elector with a disability finding it difficult to access the designated polling station can apply for re-allocation to another polling station.
"Applications for re-allocation to another polling station must be made to the REO by telephone (2891 1001) or fax (2891 1180) on or before May 11 (i.e. at least five days before the polling day)," the spokesman said.
Information about the by-election is available on the election website at www.elections.gov.hk .
Ends/Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:00
NNNN
