************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC):
In regard to the enquiries raised by a candidate on the arrangements of appointment of counting agents, the EAC yesterday (February 28) issued a statement as follows:
According to section 42 and section 66 of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (Legislative Council) Regulation, a candidate must give notice of appointment of a polling agent and a counting agent to the Chief Electoral Officer and the Returning Officer, respectively, at least seven days before the polling day, i.e. February 21. After that, should a candidate want to appoint any polling agent and counting agent, the notices must be delivered on the polling day to the Presiding Officer, by the candidate in person or by the election agent of the candidate in person. Such regulation is required by law and is applicable to all candidates.
The Returning Officer received a batch of 180 notices of appointment of counting agent from the candidate Leung Tin-kei, Edward on February 19. The notices were handled in accordance with procedures, and all counting agents concerned can observe the counting at the respective counting stations. The Returning Officer or the Registration and Electoral Office did not receive any notice of appointment of polling agent or counting agent afterwards.
Ends/Monday, February 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 01:32
NNNN