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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam, at a media session at the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex before attending the LegCo Finance Committee meeting this afternoon (June 15):
Reporter: With 230,000 people missing out of the voter registration list, you would have a lot of very unhappy and dissatisfied voters when the election comes in September. So what are you going to do?
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: I would, once again, make a very strong appeal to them that they should come forward and update their information, especially their latest address, to the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) on or before June 29. That means they still have roughly two weeks' time to update the information. Once they have done it, and if the Revising Officer is content with their latest information, their names would be put back on the final register to be issued in July, and thereby they can regain - if you like - their right to vote in the September LegCo election. So I am taking today's opportunity to appeal to them - through you and through other media friends - to appeal to them that they should come forward as soon as possible. As a matter of fact, today and tomorrow, the REO is going to issue yet another letter to all these 230,000 electors by a special envelope. On the cover of the envelope, there is a clear warning sign that they have to do it immediately without further ado. It is written in the letter inside that they have to do it on or before June 29. Otherwise, their voting right in September would be removed.
Reporter: But if somebody didn't get the first letter in the first instance, they would not get the second one.
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: If anyone in Hong Kong is not sure about their status, they can always call the REO hotline 2890 1001 and check their status. So once again, if anyone is having any doubt about their status, they can always call the REO to check. The hotline is always there. Once again, I appeal to all of these 230,000 people who actually have moved their homes. They should come forward as soon as possible.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, June 15, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:09
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