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The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah, urged electors to follow proper voting procedures when casting their votes at the District Council Election on Sunday (November 6).
"Electors should bring their identity document to the designated polling station specified on their poll card to cast their ballots," Mr Justice Fung said after visiting a mock polling station at Leighton Hill Community Hall this afternoon (November 2).
"When voting, electors should use the chop provided to stamp a 'tick' on the ballot paper in the circle next to the chosen candidate's name, and fold the ballot paper inward in half once before putting it into the ballot box," he said.
The mock polling station at Leighton Hill Community Hall is among four mock polling stations open for electors to familiarise themselves with voting procedures for the District Council Election. The other three are at Henry G. Leong Yau Ma Tei Community Centre, Tuen Mun Town Hall and Tai Po Community Centre.
The mock polling stations will be open from noon to 8pm from tomorrow until Saturday (November 3-5).
Mr Justice Fung reminded electors about the importance of safeguarding the secrecy of votes.
"The ballot is secret. Electors should mark their ballot papers inside a voting compartment. If necessary, an elector may ask the Presiding Officer or his deputy to mark the ballot paper on his behalf, in the presence of a member of the polling staff as witness," he said.
Mr Justice Fung said it is an offence for electors to use mobile phones or other electronic communication devices, take photographs, or make video or audio recording in a polling station.
Distribution of election advertisements and display of propaganda material, such as any badge, emblem, clothing or head-dress inside polling stations is also prohibited, he said.
A total of 839 candidates will run for 336 seats on polling day. A total of 452 ordinary polling stations and 25 dedicated polling stations will be open for about 2.9 million registered electors in the contested constituencies to cast their votes.
The polling hours for the ordinary polling stations and the three dedicated polling stations set up at police stations will be from 7.30am to 10.30pm. For security reasons, the polling hours for the 22 dedicated polling stations in penal institutions will be from 9am to 4pm.
Enquiries can be made to the election hotline on 2891 1001.
Ends/Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:59
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