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The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
The Electoral Affairs Commission today (June 10) released for public consultation the Proposed Guidelines on Election-related Activities in respect of Village Representative Elections. The consultation will end on July 9.
"The Commission welcomes the public to send in written representations on the proposed guidelines or they can express their views at a public forum on June 28. Final decisions will be taken on the proposed guidelines in the light of the responses received in this consultation exercise," a spokesman for the Commission said.
The next Village Ordinary Election will be held in January 2011. A total of 1,484 village representatives, comprising 695 Resident Representatives and 789 Indigenous Inhabitant Representatives, will be returned for 709 villages in the New Territories.
"The Commission has always strived to refine and improve the electoral arrangements for public elections to ensure they are held in an open, fair and honest manner.
"The proposed guidelines are drawn up on the basis of the guidelines used for previous elections, taking into account the operational experience of each election, as well as suggestions and complaints received from the public and other parties concerned," the spokesman said.
The proposed guidelines have incorporated some major changes, including the addition of a new guideline stating that any free publications (e.g. special newspaper editions or leaflets) which serve to promote or prejudice the election of a particular candidate or candidates may be construed as election advertisements for the candidate(s) concerned and are subject to the requirements for election advertisements and election expenses.
Also, short message service (SMS) has been included in the guidelines governing electioneering calls.
Written representations on the proposed guidelines can be sent to the Commission's secretariat at 10/F, Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. They can also be submitted by fax (2511 1682) or email (eacenq@reo.gov.hk).
"All representations must reach the Commission by July 9. Late submissions will not be considered," the spokesman said.
The proposed guidelines can be obtained from the Registration and Electoral Office (10/F, Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai), or all Public Enquiry Service Centres of the District Offices. They can also be downloaded from the Commission's website (www.eac.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call 2891 1001.
Ends/Thursday, June 10, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:31
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