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The 2010 voter registration campaign for the village representative elections was launched today (May 31) and will continue until July 16.
A spokesman for the Home Affairs Department said that eligible persons who had not registered and wanted to have their names on this year's register were reminded to register as electors by July 16.
An Indigenous Inhabitant Representative, returned by indigenous inhabitants, their spouses or surviving spouses of an Indigenous/Composite Indigenous Village, is to reflect views of the indigenous inhabitants of the village and deal with affairs relating to the lawful traditional rights and interests and the traditional way of life of those indigenous inhabitants.
A Resident Representative, returned by residents (both indigenous and non-indigenous inhabitants) of an Existing Village, is to reflect views on the affairs of the village on behalf of the residents residing in the village.
"There are different eligibility requirements for registration as voters for these elections," the spokesman said.
"Indigenous inhabitants, their spouses or surviving spouses, aged 18 or above and holding recognised identity documents, are eligible to be registered as voters in the Indigenous Inhabitant Representative Election of an Indigenous/Composite Indigenous Village.
For registration as voters in the Resident Representative Election, one must be a Hong Kong permanent resident aged 18 or above and have been a resident of the Existing Village for the three years immediately before the date of application for registration and whose address in the village is their principal residential address."
He also reminded indigenous inhabitants of an Indigenous/Composite Indigenous Village, their spouses or surviving spouses who were now residing in an Existing Village for three years or more immediately before registration, to submit two separate forms to register as an elector for both elections if they wished.
Completed voter registration forms can be forwarded in person, by post, by fax or by electronic means (a digital signature supported by a recognised certificate is required) and should reach the department or any District Offices on or before July 16, Hong Kong time.
Voter registration forms can be obtained at all Public Enquiry Service Centres of the District Offices, HKSAR overseas offices or downloaded from the village representative elections website (www.had.gov.hk/vre).
The department will publicise the campaign through TV and radio APIs, posters, banners and newspaper advertisements etc to encourage those eligible, including those living overseas, to register as voters.
For enquiries, please call the hotline at 2152 1521.
Ends/Monday, May 31, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:30
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