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The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
The Returning Officers for the 2002 Election Committee subsector by-elections have ruled all the seven nominations for candidature valid, the Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing, announced.
The by-elections have to be held to fill four vacancies on the Election Committee arising from the resignation or death of members in respect of the Heung Yee Kuk, Finance, Legal as well as Architectural, Surveying and Planning subsectors.
Mr Ho Sing-tin, Beauchamp Edward from the Architectural, Surveying and Planning subsector has been elected uncontested.
In respect of the other three subsectors, the order of the candidates' names to be printed on ballot papers was determined by the drawing of lots as follows:
Heung Yee Kuk subsector:
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Mr Tang Kam-leung (Number 1) and Mr Lam Wai-keung (Number 2)
Finance subsector:
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Dr Shao You-bao (Number 1) and Mr Yuen Wai-keung (Number 2)
Legal subsector:
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Mr Ronny Tong Ka-wah (Number 1) and Mr Anthony Chow Wing-kin (Number 2)
Mr Justice Woo today (December 22) briefed the candidates and their agents on the arrangements for the by-elections and the rules governing electioneering activities.
Four polling stations will be set up at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Administration Building of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Yuen Wo Road Indoor Recreation Centre and Kwai Tsing Theatre. The polling stations will be open to voters from 7.30 am to 7.30 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2002.
All ballot papers will be delivered to the central counting station at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for the counting of votes.
The Electoral Affairs Commission has set up a complaints hotline, 2827 7251, to handle complaints from members of the public about possible breaches of its Guidelines on Election-related Activities.
Members of the public and voters may call the election hotline, 2891 1001, to enquire about arrangements for the by-elections and may visit the website, www.info.gov.hk/eac, to obtain more information.
Members of the Election Committee will be responsible for electing the Chief Executive on March 24, 2002. The members will also be responsible for returning a Legislative Councillor in a by-election should a vacancy arise among the six Legislative Councillors elected by the Election Committee during the second term of the Legislative Council.
End/Saturday, December 22, 2001
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