The Government announced today (Friday) that the Chief Executive has specified May 24, 1998 as the date for holding the first general election of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and April 2, 1998 as the date for holding all Election Committee subsector elections.

The Election Committee subsector elections will return members from various subsectors to form the Election Committee. The 800-member Election Committee will, in turn, elect 10 members to the Legislative Council at the general election on May 24, a spokesman for the Constitutional Affairs Bureau said.

"In order to participate at the Election Committee subsector elections in April, eligible persons must register as voters on or before January 16, 1998. Those who have not yet registered should do it now," the spokesman said.

Application forms are available at the Registration and Electoral office and the various district offices of the Home Affairs Department.