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Final guidelines for Election Committee Subsector Elections released today
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The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:

     The Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) today (September 23) released the final Guidelines on Election-related Activities in respect of the Election Committee Subsector (ECSS) Elections.

     "The 30-day public consultation on the proposed guidelines ended on June 9. Views received by the EAC are multifarious and include the definition and regulation of election advertisements, and electoral arrangements, such as polling hours. The EAC has taken into consideration all the views received and reflected them in the updated guidelines as appropriate,” the EAC spokesman said.

      With regard to the need to comply with the legal requirements for publication of election advertisements on the Internet, the spokesman said the definition of election advertisement is in fact stipulated in the law and the present statutory definition is very wide. It is the duty of the EAC to issue guidelines according to the existing law to remind the public of the legal provisions and the consequences of any breach.

      Currently, the polling hours of major public elections runs from 7.30am to 10.30pm. Some people consider that they are too long and can be shortened in the ECSS election on a trial basis.

      "After due consideration, the EAC is of the view that it would not be appropriate to make any change to the polling hours before there can be sufficient discussion and consultation so as to avoid causing any adverse impact on the election. As such, the polling hours of the ECSS Elections scheduled for December this year will be based on the established arrangement, i.e. the poll will start at 7.30am and end at 10.30pm. The EAC will, however, conduct research on the topic and may put forward proposals for consultation with the public before the next election cycle," the spokesman said.
 
      Those who intend to stand for election are urged to read carefully the Guidelines on Election-related Activities in respect of the ECSS Elections and the relevant electoral legislation, and strictly abide by them.

     The final guidelines can be downloaded from the Commission's website (www.eac.gov.hk). They are also available at the REO and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of District Offices.
 
Ends/Friday, September 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:00
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