Vote count for Legislative Council General Election completed
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The vote count for the 2016 Legislative Council General Election was completed at around 6.45pm today (September 5). Totals of about 2.2 million geographical constituency ballot papers, 1.98 million District Council (second) functional constituency ballot papers and 170 000 other functional constituency ballot papers were counted after the poll closed last night (September 4).
"Part of the work on polling and counting of the election was obviously delayed compared to the last Legislative Council election. Some of the reasons are believed to be due to the fact that the number of electors has increased significantly by 20 per cent, and that the voting procedures were also strengthened in response to public concerns, resulting in the lengthening of voting time for each elector. In addition, stakeholders of various sectors participated in the counting process, which was very transparent, ensuring that procedures were conducted properly. We will have a comprehensive review of the electoral arrangements and a report will be submitted to the Chief Executive within the next three months as required by law," the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah said.
"I am grateful to the venue managements of the counting stations of the geographical constituencies, who had, in response to my earlier appeal, allowed counting staff to continue to stay and carry out the count. I would like to make a sincere apology again to those who had been affected, and appeal to them to continue their support for elections," he said.
The EAC also thanked the 24 000-odd polling and counting staff, the Registration and Electoral Office, the Home Affairs Department, the Police, the Fire Services Department and the Correctional Services Department, as well as the Civil Aid Service and the Auxiliary Medical Service for their comprehensive arrangements to complete the election. The EAC also thanked the candidates and their agents for their co-operation, the media for their reporting and the electors for casting votes.
Ends/Monday, September 5, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:42
Issued at HKT 19:42
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